Can Australia Trust a CCP-Linked App to Comply With Its Social Media Ban?

In November, Australia legislated a world first ban on social media use for under 16s.

In this photo illustration, the TikTok logo is displayed on a phone screen with the Australian flag displayed in the background in Melbourne, Australia on Nov. 30, 2024. Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

A defence expert says it is still unclear how Australian authorities will be able to force the CCP-linked social media app TikTok to comply with a ban on social media use for under-16s.

The law, passed in late November, compels social media companies, including Meta (owner of Facebook and Instagram), TikTok, X, and Snapchat, to stop young Australians from using their platforms in a year’s time.