X has submitted formal objections to Australia's proposed amendments strengthening its underage social media restrictions, contending that the requirements for platforms to demonstrate compliance efforts would constitute excessive information gathering and potentially violate privacy protections and international legal norms. The company specifically challenges provisions that would grant authorities broad powers to demand documentation and data from multinational firms, warning that such powers lack adequate safeguards for commercially sensitive information.

Australia has positioned itself at the forefront of a global regulatory movement, having implemented a complete social media ban for under-16s in December and previously imposing a $463,000 penalty on X for inadequate responses to child safety inquiries. The regulatory dispute reflects a fundamental disagreement among experts: some digital rights scholars argue that blanket age restrictions disproportionately restrict children's freedoms of expression and information access, while internet law academics contend that national regulators have clear authority to mandate compliance from platforms operating within their borders.