White House warns UK social media ban on under-16s burdens US tech firms
Diplomatic friction intensifies between Washington and London over the Online Safety Act, with US officials claiming regulations disproportionately target American companies.
The White House has formally urged the UK government to abandon plans for a blanket ban on social media for users under the age of 16, arguing that such restrictions would impose a disproportionate compliance burden on US technology firms. In a submission to a government consultation on online safety, the Trump administration opposed what it described as "one-size-fits-all" regulatory measures, stating that technical age-gating methods are ineffective for distinguishing minors aged 13 to 16.
The notice, published by the US embassy in London, contended that technical methods developed to distinguish minors from adults cannot simply be repurposed for younger age thresholds. Instead of outright bans, the US administration recommended that the UK provide parents with robust privacy tools and account controls, while requiring platforms to offer healthy online experiences. The US embassy expressed concern that UK and EU regulations might single out American companies, imposing disproportionate compliance burdens compared to similar services.
This diplomatic friction arises as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer prepares to announce restrictions on "harmful" social media apps. The expected measures include blocks on conversations with strangers on gaming platforms and limits on AI chatbot use. While specific applications have not been named, reports suggest exemptions for educational platforms, with YouTube Kids potentially being carved out of the ban.
The White House has drawn sharp criticism from US officials regarding the UK’s approach to online safety, with Vice-President JD Vance describing free speech in the UK as "in retreat". One senior Republican congressman has labelled the Online Safety Act as the "UK’s online censorship law", highlighting the tension between Washington and Downing Street over legislative and regulatory paths that may disproportionately target US tech firms.
Concurrently, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has launched a legal challenge against the UK’s media regulator over the fees and fines regime enforced under the Online Safety Act. The White House noted that the US government is mindful of the threat of judicial reviews, with ministers promising to act quickly but ensuring measures are effective, enforceable, and genuinely keep children safe. Meanwhile, Australia currently maintains a blanket ban on under-16s accessing social media platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat.