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TikTok says YouTube’s ‘sweetheart’ exemption would entrench Google monopoly

TikTok argues that Labor's decision to give YouTube a blanket exemption from its new social media age rules would entrench the platform's market dominance.

John Buckley and Daniel Van Boom
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TikTok joined Facebook and Instagram owner Meta along with Snapchat’s parent company Snap in formalising sharp criticisms of the government’s proposed rules after Labor called for feedback in February. AP/Martin Meissner.

TikTok has warned that Labor’s decision to offer YouTube a carve out from its new social media age restrictions would further entrench Google’s market power and give its video platform a monopoly on users under 16 years old.

TikTok’s public policy director, Ella Woods-Joyce, wrote in a submission to the government that the proposed rules undermine Labor’s online safety framework, stymie fair competition, and fail to safeguard against “inevitable and unpredictable” product evolution.

“The inevitable consequence of the named exclusion will be to ring-fence a significant competitive advantage in the form of a monopoly over not only users under 16 (as other platforms are required to prevent users under 16 from creating accounts), but also users over 16,” reads the TikTok submission, seen by Capital Brief.

“This exemption would see YouTube become the go-to platform for individuals that do not wish to undergo age assurance measures that non-exempt platforms will be required to adopt, in accordance with the Act.”