Social media fines to double & Middle East strikes
Australia is doubling the maximum fines for social media companies that allow children under 16 on their platforms. Meanwhile, international tensions have spiked following Iranian strikes on Bahrain and Kuwait, and a tanker attack in the Strait of Hormuz.
Social media platforms now face twice the previous maximum penalty if they allow children under 16 to use their services. The ban, which has applied to 10 major platforms since December 2025, is being more aggressively enforced to ensure tech giants comply with age verification requirements. This change means companies will face much higher financial consequences for failing to keep young Australian users off their sites, a move intended to strengthen online safety protections.
Global security and oil shipping routes are at risk after Iran launched missile and drone strikes against Bahrain and Kuwait. These attacks follow recent US strikes in the region and included a hit on a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital narrow waterway used for much of the world's oil shipments. Former US President Donald Trump has threatened to "militarily complete the job" as the conflict escalates.
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