In this MadTech Podcast episode, ExchangeWire head of marketing Grainne Reid is joined by head of content John Still and Uma Ranganathan, head of solutions development at dentsu APAC. 

They discuss the tech trial carried out in Australia as the country moves towards fully implementing a ban on social media platforms for under 16s, the UK's advertising watchdog criticising ageism in ads, and the trading truce between China and the US.

Australia social media teen ban software trial organisers say the tech works (Reuters) 

From December, in a world first ban, social media companies must prove they are taking reasonable steps to block young people in Australia from their platforms or face a fine of up to A$49.5 million (£36.99m). The tech trial found "no significant tech barriers" to rolling out a software-based scheme, although there was "no one-size-fits-all solution, and no solution that worked perfectly in all deployments”. 

UK watchdog criticises ‘offensive’ portrayal of older people in adverts (The Guardian) 

The ASA has criticised brands for ageism in advertising. This comes as the UK watchdog criticised an ad by Scotland-based Strathmore Foods over an ‘offensive’ portrayal of older people as grumpy and intolerant, as well as implying that they are lonely and isolated. 

Chinese-backed Temu resumes direct sales to US after Washington-Beijing trade truce (SCMP) 

Temu, owned by China’s PDD Holdings, has resumed direct shipments from China to the US, after a trade deal framework was agreed on. The move reverses a recent shift to local fulfilment due to the end of the US “de minimis” rule, which had allowed duty-free entry for low-value goods. Temu had seen a 47% drop in Q1 earnings and faces similar regulatory challenges in Europe, where new fees on low-value imports are being considered.