Overview

• The government released the 1,100-page Age Assurance Technology Trial report assessing more than 60 tools from 48 providers and finding age can be verified or estimated in Australia.
• There is no single universal solution, with the report indicating platforms will likely need to combine methods as they prepare to take "reasonable steps" by December or face fines of up to A$49.5 million.
• The study highlights significant privacy and data-retention concerns, warning that some providers store sensitive identity and biometric data and calling for clearer regulatory guidance.
• Measured accuracy limits include average errors of two to three years around the age threshold and lower performance for girls and non‑white faces.
• Officials plan industry guidance and meetings with platform executives, while companies warn of implementation and circumvention challenges even as tools exist to deter VPNs and forged documents.