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Google, Meta and TikTok face new levy to pay for Australian news as Albanese reveals media plan

28 April 2026 at 02:06

Labor’s draft news bargaining incentive scheme includes 2.25% levy on local revenues of digital giants

Anthony Albanese has urged Google, Meta and TikTok to make deals with Australian media outlets to avoid a dedicated 2.25% levy on local revenues, warning digital giants should not be able to exploit the work of journalists to boost profits.

Releasing an exposure draft for the government’s news bargaining incentive (NBI) scheme on Tuesday, the prime minister said platforms could avoid the levy by signing new deals with publishers to pay for news content, and even greater offsets for making deals with smaller publishers. The government expects the plan will raise up to $250m annually for Australian journalism.

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© Photograph: Danielle Villasana/Reuters

© Photograph: Danielle Villasana/Reuters

© Photograph: Danielle Villasana/Reuters

  • ✇The Guardian World news
  • TikTok and Visa launch debit card to speed payouts to UK creators Sundus Abdi
    Creator card is designed for people making money through TikTok Live, some of whom complain of payment delaysTikTok and Visa have launched a debit card for content creators in the UK which they say will allow people to quickly access their earnings from the platform.The creator card is designed for the growing numbers of people making money through TikTok Live, a livestreaming feature where creators receive virtual gifts from viewers that are later converted into cash. Continue reading...
     

TikTok and Visa launch debit card to speed payouts to UK creators

24 April 2026 at 17:07

Creator card is designed for people making money through TikTok Live, some of whom complain of payment delays

TikTok and Visa have launched a debit card for content creators in the UK which they say will allow people to quickly access their earnings from the platform.

The creator card is designed for the growing numbers of people making money through TikTok Live, a livestreaming feature where creators receive virtual gifts from viewers that are later converted into cash.

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© Photograph: Kiichiro Sato/AP

© Photograph: Kiichiro Sato/AP

© Photograph: Kiichiro Sato/AP

‘An element of exploitation’: the world of TikTok child skincare influencers

22 April 2026 at 07:00

Experts say regulation of child influencers sits in a legal grey area as children promote products on social media

In a TikTok video a young girl – her age anywhere between 10 and 15 – sits unboxing package after package of products she says were sent to her by skincare brands. She calls it a “PR haul”.

In another video, a 16-year-old opens a box of products she received from a well known brand. She says: “I know I have younger people watching,” before reading out a note from the brand that says: “Can’t wait for you to share your thoughts.”

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© Composite: The Guardian / Guardian design / Getty

© Composite: The Guardian / Guardian design / Getty

© Composite: The Guardian / Guardian design / Getty

Teenagers in the US Say Social Media Isn’t Particularly Harming Them

16 April 2026 at 17:23

Four young people sit together on the ground outdoors, some wearing denim jackets and sneakers, with a skateboard and a shopping cart nearby, chatting and enjoying drinks in the sunlight.

A recent survey of 1,458 teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 found that most of them do not see social media platforms affecting their mental health.

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Starmer tells social media firms in No 10 meeting ‘things can’t go on like this’

16 April 2026 at 10:53

PM summons senior figures from Meta, TikTok, Google and X and says social media is ‘putting our children at risk’

Keir Starmer has told social media bosses “things can’t go on like this” in a Downing Street meeting over internet safety.

The prime minister summoned senior figures at Meta, TikTok, Google and X to No 10 on Thursday morning as his government considers imposing new restrictions on platforms, including an Australia-style ban for under-16s. Meta owns Facebook and Instagram, and Google owns YouTube.

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© Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

© Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

© Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

Breaking Down Alex Cooper and Alix Earle's She-Said She-Said Feud

16 April 2026 at 00:59
Alex Cooper, Alix EarleAlex Cooper and Alix Earle are both looking to call her out.  The Call Her Daddy podcast host and Dancing With the Stars alum first sparked rumors of a feud in March 2025 after Earle’s Hot Mess...

  • ✇PetaPixel
  • TikTok Scammers Stole a Camera Store’s Identity Jeremy Gray
    Identity theft is a major issue for people online. However, identity thieves don't only target individuals; they can also imitate full-blown businesses. An unknown actor is pretending to be Action Camera, a small camera retailer with locations in Nevada and California, and scamming people out of their hard-earned money. [Read More]
     

TikTok Scammers Stole a Camera Store’s Identity

13 April 2026 at 22:21

A collage of three screenshots: a camera store’s homepage, a stylized digital image of a person using a camera, and a product page for a digital camera with details and a product photo.

Identity theft is a major issue for people online. However, identity thieves don't only target individuals; they can also imitate full-blown businesses. An unknown actor is pretending to be Action Camera, a small camera retailer with locations in Nevada and California, and scamming people out of their hard-earned money.

[Read More]

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