Australia’s watchdog says big tech firms are still failing kids — and it’s running out of patience

A new report shows that Australia’s cybersecurity regulator has harshly criticized several tech giants. The Australian Cyber ​​Security Commissioner's Office says firms like Meta, Apple, and Google are still not doing enough to keep kids safe online, despite years of repeated warnings from the regulator. The report paints a grim picture showing that kids are still being hurt on major apps. And the firms in charge are moving far too slowly.

The watchdog says the core issue is clear. Many apps fail to spot harm while they are live. This includes sex abuse that happens during video calls. By the time flags show up, the damage is done. The report also says firms lag in tracking new forms of bad content. As abuse shifts shape, tools fail to keep up. This leaves gaps that bad actors use quickly.

One key fear is sextortion traps. These are scams where kids are pushed to share pics, then hit with threats. The watchdog says firms had full risk notes. Yet the right word tools were not put in place. To the watchdog, this is not a tech gap. It is a choice gap.

Julie Inman Grant, the head of the office, did not hold back. She said talks with big firms have gone on for years. Yet real change is rare. She called the lack of action “not ok.” In her view, this goes past rule books. It is about duty and care. These firms earn trust and cash from users. Kids are part of that base.

She stressed one thing again and again. Safety should come first. Not growth. Not speed. Not profit. So far, that has not been the case.

Most firms named did not reply. Apple and Google stayed silent. MS also gave no word. Snap said it will keep talks open. It said kid safety is key. Still, it did not face the claims head-on. Meta said it is “looking” at the report. No clear steps were shared.

All this comes as the Aussie government gets tougher. In late 2025, a new rule was passed. Kids under 16 can no longer use social apps. It was a first of its kind. Now the focus is on the firms. The message is sharp. If they do not act fast, the state may act for them. And this time, it sounds dead serious.