Chalmers challenges Musk complaints over social media ban

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has challenged billionaire Elon Musk on his criticism of the government’s plans to block children under 16 from using social media, saying it is not Australia’s job to please the X owner.

Musk attacked the Albanese government’s social media ban for children, as he posted to his 205.5 million followers that the policy appeared to be a backdoor to controlling all Australians’ access to the internet.

Elon Musk has criticised the government’s proposed social media ban for young people.Credit: AP

The post signals the free speech advocate and close friend of President-elect Donald Trump has no plans to co-operate with the requirement in the new bill that social media companies should find ways to ban children from their products.

In response to a post from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying his government was introducing the bill, Musk replied: “seems like a backdoor way to control access to the Internet by all Australians”.

Speaking in Canberra on Friday, Chalmers said Musk’s criticism or relationship with Trump did not concern him about Australia’s ability to have a strong relationship with the United States.

“Our job is not to come up with a social media policy to please Elon Musk,” Chalmers said.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said he was not concerned about Elon Musk’s criticism.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

“The idea that Elon Musk is not delighted with our steps to try and protect kids online is not an especially big surprise to us, nor does it trouble us greatly.”

Asked if he believed it was realistic for big tech companies to comply, the treasurer responded with certainty saying: “It’s realistic to think that companies operating in Australia will comply with Australian law and Australian regulations”.

“That’s the price of admission for operating in markets around the world. And there is a role for the platforms, and there’s a responsibility that the platforms have.”

On Thursday, legislation banning children under 16 from social media, which would include Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Musk’s X was introduced to the House of Representatives. Children would still be able to use YouTube, WhatsApp and gaming services.

Australian children’s music supergroup the Wiggles led the protests against plans to include YouTube in the ban, pointing out their preschool audience watched many of their performances via the platform. In a statement, YouTube stated it appreciated the government’s consideration of it being exempt.

Platforms Meta and TikTok shared X’s concern over the legislation, signalling the government could face barriers from the tech giants implementing the ban.

On Friday Coalition communications spokesman David Coleman – who has given bipartisan support – said the social media giants were the core problem.

“You are always going to have to draw a line somewhere … we’ve got to focus on the main issue here and the main issue is that social media is devastating Australian families,” he told ABC Radio National.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland acknowledged the policy would not be perfect.

“Age assurance technology will not be 100 per cent childproof, but we should not let the perfect be the enemy of the good,” she said in question time on Thursday.

Australia’s proposed law has gained international attention as the ban on access for all children under 16 goes further than the parental consent provisions introduced by other nations.

Musk’s warning about the legislation’s implications for other Australians follows local concerns that some age-verification technologies would require all social media users to confirm their age before logging in.

During Senate estimates earlier this month, deputy secretary of the Department of Communications James Chisholm confirmed identity documents may need to be provided to verify a person is old enough to use the technology.

Social media giants could face fines of up to $50 million if they breach the proposed age limit.

On Friday, a spokesperson for Meta shared Musk’s concern about the legislation forcing Australians to verify their identity, arguing: “The government’s approach will likely require each app provider to collect personal identification or biometric data from all Australians”.

TikTok also argued that a blanket ban could push young people into dark spaces that do not have safety guardrails.

“A blunt ban doesn’t encourage companies to continually improve safety, because the focus is on keeping teenagers off the service, rather than keeping them safe when they’re on it,” a spokesperson said.

Albanese and his ministers have previously batted away any concerns about Musk refusing to comply with the laws if they pass, as the prime minister said earlier this month he would always advocate for Australia’s national interest.

Separately, Health Minister Mark Butler also dodged questions on whether he was concerned about Musk’s influence since the billionaire became one of Trump’s main allies.

“[Musk’s] got a job with the US around what happens within the US government. We’ve got a responsibility to do the right thing by Australians,” he told ABC Radio National.

The bill will face a Senate inquiry on Monday, and report back on Tuesday next week.

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