eSafety

Australia has initiated legal action against Telegram, accusing the platform of failing to remove extremist content shared by users. The case arises from allegations by eSafety that Telegram did not adequately detect and delete such material.

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.

Australia is investigating Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube for failing to enforce the country’s ban on children under 16 accessing social media. The government has doubled potential fines for non-compliance after a study revealed 80% of Australian children still use these platforms, citing inadequate age verification measures.

Australia will double fines for social media platforms violating its under-16s ban to Aus$99 million, granting the eSafety regulator expanded powers to investigate compliance. The government cited widespread evasion tactics by underage users and criticized platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for insufficient efforts to enforce the restrictions.