Tiktok accused Australia of bias in social media crackdown, targets special treatment of YouTube

Bloomberg reported that Tikok has strongly criticized the Australian government for exempting YouTube from a comprehensive social media crackdown, which would ban the under -16 from most platforms, Bloomberg said.

Allegedly, the Chinese-owned video-sharing app condemned the move as “irrational, anti-intelligent and short-sighted”.

In presenting the Department of Communications, Tikokococ described as “Sweetheart Deal” for YouTube, arguing that Google -owned platform does not eligible its classification as health and education service. The new law, which was passed in November and is ready to be effective by the end of 2025, holds the under -16 ban on social media firms, with a penalty of up to $ 50 million for non -transportation.

YouTube exemption not only from Tiktok, but also the original company of Meta, Facebook and Instagram, and SNAP Inc. From the backlash is provoked, which owns Snapchat. Meta submission states that special treatment given to YouTube “make fun of the government’s declared intention to protect young people”. However, Tiktok’s reaction has been the most vocal, showing its frustration that regulation may set an example for other countries.

Government figures suggest that YouTube is the most popular platform among Australian children. A study by the Esafety Commissioner found that in 2024, about 80 percent of children aged eight to 12 used at least one social media platform, with YouTube the most prominent. Between this age group, 68 percent saw Youtube, while 19 percent was used on Tiktok and Snapchat compared to 31 percent. Among children aged 13 to 15 years, YouTube presence was even more with 73 percent reporting use.

Tikokococ argued that the content of YouTube has been “virtually uninterrupted” by itself and a discount has been compared to ban soft drinks for minors, but Coca-Cola is making an exception. A major demographic-young users are expected to be impressed significantly by cutting social media platforms, which is highly demanded by advertisers and technical companies in search of prolonged engagement.

Left untouched with YouTube, Tiktok, Meta and Snap now appear to share a common goal: ensuring that they do not face regulatory burden alone. Despite discussing closed doors with government officials, take firms have given very little time to change the implementation of law.

(With input from Bloomberg)