Meta Shuts Down 550,000 Accounts of Users Under 16 Amid Australian SNS Regulations

Meta, the company that operates Facebook and Instagram, announced on January 11 (local time) that it has shut down approximately 550,000 social media (SNS) accounts in Australia.

This move is interpreted as a response to the Australian government's recent measure to block SNS use for those under the age of 16, which took effect last month.

According to Bloomberg and AFP News Agency, Meta stated in a blog post that it had deleted about 330,000 Instagram accounts, 173,000 Facebook accounts, and 40,000 Threads accounts believed to belong to users under the age of 16.

Meta emphasized that it is doing its best to comply with the law, but also expressed opposition to the Australian government's SNS ban.

The company argued that banning access to specific social media platforms would simply prompt teenagers to migrate to alternative platforms, making it difficult for the government to achieve its intended goal of protecting young people.

Meta criticized the Australian government’s ban as merely creating a "whack-a-mole effect," where teenagers move to other apps, and stressed that it would be better to verify users’ ages before they download apps and require parental consent for those under 16.

The company further urged, "We call on the Australian government to work constructively with the industry to raise standards in ways that protect privacy and provide age-appropriate online experiences, rather than imposing a blanket ban."

Since December 10 of last year, Australia has become the first country in the world to effectively block SNS use for those under 16. As a result, 10 social media platforms-including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, and TikTok-are required to delete existing accounts of users under 16 or deactivate them until they turn 16. Failure to comply may result in fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (approximately 48.5 billion won).