Australian Report Flags Age-Verification Risks Ahead of Teen Social Media Ban

Australia is preparing to enforce a pioneering ban on social media use for individuals under 16, set to begin in December, backed by government-commissioned studies showing that various age verification and estimation technologies can be effective, albeit with some accuracy and privacy concerns. Reports highlight that selfie-based age guessing software generally performs well but shows reduced accuracy for people near the age threshold, particularly non-Caucasians and teenage girls, creating a 'grey zone' where supplementary verification may be necessary. Privacy concerns arise from some providers retaining excessive biometric or document data, underscoring the need for clearer regulatory guidance. Enforcement will target major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, with potential fines reaching up to A$49.5 million for non-compliance, though tech companies warn that savvy youths could bypass restrictions using VPNs and other methods. Meanwhile, the UK’s Online Safety Act mandates age verification for adult content sites, but its implementation has led to unintended consequences, including traffic shifting toward sites that have not complied with age checks. Experts caution that while online age verification is technically feasible, there is no universal solution, and the upcoming Australian ban's success will depend on balancing accuracy, privacy, and enforceability.