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Australia’s Age Assurance Trial Finds Tech Viable but Flags Privacy and Accuracy Risks

Australia’s trial demonstrates the viability of private age assurance technologies for under-16 social media users, highlighting error margins of up to 18 months alongside risks of disproportionate data retention.

Two school students pose with their mobile showing social media applications in Melbourne, Australia, November 28, 2024. REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/File Photo
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(Image: Private Media/Zennie)

Overview

  • The Age Assurance Technology Trial tested facial and voice analysis, ID verification and behavior-based inference to demonstrate that private age checks can be integrated into existing social media platforms.
  • Face-scanning tools achieved 85% accuracy within an 18-month age range, indicating some under-16s could bypass checks and some older teens might be wrongly blocked.
  • Preliminary results flagged that certain providers built systems to retain extensive personal data for potential regulator or law enforcement use, posing privacy risks.
  • Under legislation set to take effect in December 2025, social media companies must take ‘reasonable steps’ to block under-16 users or face fines up to A$49.5 million per breach.
  • The full trial report is due by the end of July, and upcoming eSafety Commissioner consultations will shape final guidelines and address potential technical workarounds.