Meta begins notifying under-16 users in Australia to ‘download or delete’ data before ban takes effect: Report

ISTANBUL

US-based Meta has begun giving under-16 users in Australia a two-week notice to "download or delete" their account data, as the world’s first social media ban for minors draws closer, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported Wednesday.

The warning was sent to users of Meta-owned Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

Messenger is the only Meta platform not currently covered by the ban.

Starting Dec. 10, Reddit, Kick, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Snapchat, Threads, and YouTube will face a "world-first legal obligation" to prevent anyone under 16 from opening or maintaining accounts.

Companies that fail to comply could face penalties of up to $50 million Australian dollars ($33 million).

Meta will begin purging existing underage accounts on Dec. 4 and will also block minors from creating new ones, an ABC report said, adding at least 350,000 users will be removed from Instagram and 150,000 from Facebook by the deadline, with more expected to follow.

On Wednesday, the company began notifying teens via email, SMS, and in-app alerts that they have 14 days left on the platform "due to laws in Australia," the broadcaster said.

Meta said its systems will be reviewed and improved to proactively detect under-16 users who have lied about their age, with AI analysis of user behavior expected to play a significant role.

The users who want to challenge their removal will have to undergo facial age scans by taking a "video selfie," or provide government-issued ID such as a driver's license.