Australia is testing age-checking technology for teen social media ban enforcement

From Investing.com: 2024-11-28 08:05:38

Software testers hired by Australia’s government for the national teen social media ban draw on experience wrangling their own children online. The trial, conducted by tech contractor KJR, will test age-checking technology on 1,200 Australians from Jan to Mar. The study will influence global approaches to age-restricting social media amid mental health concerns.

Starting late 2025, platforms like Instagram, X, TikTok, and Snapchat must prove they’re keeping out users under 16 or face fines up to $32 million. Google’s YouTube is exempt. The trial, overseen by a British consulting firm, will recommend reasonable steps for age verification by mid-2025, influencing global legislation.

Options for age verification include video selfie analysis, document uploads, and email cross-checks. Australia’s approach to online age checks could set a precedent for other countries. European countries and U.S. states have age minimums for social media, but enforcement regimes face legal challenges. Lawmakers debate privacy concerns with the ban.

A last-minute law change requires platforms requesting documents to offer an alternative age-gate. Pressure to block minors from the internet has increased since Meta’s whistleblower leak in 2021. Technological development for accurate, private, secure age-checking remains a challenge. Yoti claims 99% accuracy in identifying people aged 13-17.

Age-checking technology may involve facial feature analysis for those without common identifying documents. Meta’s age-checking partner, Yoti, faces challenges in accurately guessing ages. Providers are reluctant to collect data, pushing for fool-proof technology. Testers will evaluate products in the trial, looking for user-friendly, accurate solutions.

The trial aims to recommend multiple effective age-checking options, allowing consumer choice. Legislation requires platforms to take reasonable steps to keep out underage users. Age verification technology continues to evolve to balance accuracy, privacy, security, and user-friendliness. The global tech industry awaits Australia’s trial results for guidance.



Read more at Investing.com: Analysis-After Australia legislated a teen social media ban, it has to figure out how to enforce it By Reuters