Meta Notifies Australian Teens to Download Data Ahead of Social Media Ban

Meta has initiated notifications to Australian users under 16, advising them to download their data from Facebook, Instagram, and Threads before account deactivations begin on December 4. This action aligns with Australia's forthcoming legislation, effective December 10, requiring social media platforms to prevent access by individuals under 16.

The company estimates approximately 350,000 Australians aged 13 to 15 use Instagram, and 150,000 are on Facebook. Affected users are encouraged to save their content and update contact information to facilitate account reactivation upon reaching 16.

Users mistakenly identified as underage can verify their age through Yoti Age Verification by providing government-issued identification or a video selfie. Terry Flew, co-director of Sydney University's Center for AI, Trust and Governance, noted that facial-recognition technology has a failure rate of at least 5%.

Non-compliance with the new law may result in fines up to 50 million Australian dollars (approximately $32 million). Meta's Vice President and Global Head of Safety, Antigone Davis, suggested that app stores collect age information during user sign-up to ensure compliance.

Dany Elachi, founder of the parents' group Heaps Up Alliance, which advocated for the age restriction, advised parents to help their children plan alternative activities to replace time spent on social media.