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YouTube threatens to sue if roped into social media ban

YouTube threatens to sue if roped into social media ban

The Age27-07-2025
Google has been warned threats to sue won't sway the potential late inclusion of YouTube in Australia's world-first social media ban for children.
The tech giant wrote to Communications Minister Anika Wells declaring it was considering its legal position if its video-sharing platform was included in the ban for children aged 16 and under.
The letter flagged the ban could be challenged because it restricted the implied constitutional right to freedom of political communication.
'YouTube is a video-sharing platform, not a social media service, that offers benefit and value to younger Australians,' a YouTube spokesperson said.
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'We have written directly to the government, urging them to uphold the integrity of the legislative process and protect the age-appropriate experiences and safeguards we provide for young Australians.'
The social media ban is due to come into effect in December.
covered when legislation passed parliament.
YouTube was exempted in a move TikTok described as a 'sweetheart deal'.
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