Julie Inman Grant

Australia’s online safety watchdog has filed legal action against Telegram for failing to remove extremist content, including videos of white supremacist mass shootings and Islamic State beheadings. The case tests a 2021 law requiring tech platforms to remove illegal material, with Telegram facing potential fines of up to AU$54.6 million. Telegram denies the allegations and claims to have blocked over 150,000 'terrorist-related communities'.

Australia’s online safety watchdog filed legal action against Telegram, alleging it failed to remove extremist content including videos of white supremacist and Islamic State attacks. Telegram denies the claims, stating it blocks over 150,000 terrorist-related communities annually, while the regulator argues the app must take responsibility for harmful material in its channels.

The European Parliament's 719 lawmakers will take a six-week summer break before returning on Aug. 31 for negotiations ahead of a midterm reshuffle. The article also discusses potential social media restrictions for children, issues with the EU's new digital border system differentiating identical twins, and a recurring segment about monkeys.

Australia’s internet regulator eSafety found significant gaps in Big Tech companies like Apple, Meta, and Google in addressing online child sexual abuse and sexual extortion, despite providing evidence and guidance. The report highlights failures to use available technologies to detect coercion scripts and notes over 2,000 sexual extortion complaints between July and December 2025, primarily affecting young men aged 18–24.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned senators for delaying amendments to a social media ban for children under 16, which would have expanded the eSafety Commissioner's powers to enforce the law and demand documents from platforms. The conservative Liberal Party and Greens referred the bill to an eight-week Senate inquiry, raising concerns that tech companies might destroy evidence during the delay.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned senators for delaying amendments to a child social media ban, which would empower the eSafety Commissioner to enforce the law and demand documents from platforms. The amendments, opposed by the Liberal Party and Greens, were referred to an eight-week Senate inquiry, raising concerns about tech companies destroying evidence.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticized senators for delaying amendments to a social media ban for children under 16, which would have expanded the eSafety Commissioner's powers to enforce the law and obtain documents from tech platforms. The conservative Liberal Party and Greens referred the bill to an eight-week Senate inquiry, with opposition figures questioning the effectiveness of the proposed measures.

Australia's government has announced legislation to double fines to $99m for platforms violating a social media ban, but experts warn penalties alone will be ineffective without stronger enforcement against tech giants. The eSafety commissioner will gain enhanced information-gathering powers to address the issue.

Australia plans to strengthen laws banning children under 16 from social media after evidence showed the existing ban, enforced since December 2023, was ineffective. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant are prioritizing reforms, as many underage children continue to hold accounts on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Other countries, including the UK and Canada, have also introduced similar age-based restrictions.

Australia plans to strengthen laws banning children under 16 from social media after evidence showed the current ban is failing. The government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, is considering stronger measures as data revealed many underage children still hold accounts on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Other countries, including the UK and Canada, have also introduced similar age-based restrictions.

Australia plans to strengthen laws banning children under 16 from social media platforms after evidence showed the existing ban failed. Other countries like Britain, Canada, and Brazil have introduced similar measures, while enforcement challenges persist due to platform resistance and insufficient regulatory powers.

Australian social services minister Rishworth announces jobseeker policy changes to address concerns over for-profit job providers. The eSafety commissioner reveals ongoing investigations into Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook for non-compliance with under-16s social media bans, noting legal complexities in issuing fines.