Tim Cook calls Australia's social media curbs 'world-leading', PM says

SYDNEY, Sept 20 (Reuters) – Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday that Apple Executive Chair Tim Cook views Canberra’s pioneering restrictions on social media as "world-leading", following their meeting at Apple’s U.S. headquarters.

Albanese, speaking from Apple Park in California in remarks televised in Australia on Sunday, said Cook had given 'us a lot of time' that morning and regards the work Australia has done on social media as 'world-leading'.

This month, Australia took another step in its push to improve online safety, outlining a plan to let social media users choose the content that appears in their feeds.

In December, Australia became the first country to ban social media for children under 16. Other governments have followed suit this year, with the European Commission the latest to propose a ban for children under 13.

Asked for comment on Albanese’s remarks, an Apple spokesperson referred to a post by Cook on X in which he said he was grateful to share with Albanese "some of our newest innovations, including strong and intuitive controls to help keep kids safe online".

Cook recently left his post as Apple CEO after 15 years in the job.

AI industry leaders are divided over how quickly companies should develop the increasingly powerful technology, as a debate over AI safety roils Silicon Valley.