Australian authorities are requesting age verification for users on social media platforms to protect minors, with fines for non-compliance.

Australia has implemented legislation that requires social platforms such as Snapchat, Meta, TikTok, and YouTube to verify users' ages to prevent minors from accessing accounts.

The law, which came into effect on December 10, imposes fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars for companies that do not comply with these requirements.

The online regulator eSafety reported the blocking of 4.7 million accounts, of which 415,000 belonged to users under 16 years old.

Snapchat has called for a centralized age verification system at the app store level, arguing that current technology has significant gaps. While supporting protection goals, Snapchat disagrees with a total ban, believing that isolating teenagers does not improve their safety or happiness.