What's Happening?
Australia is set to implement a new law requiring all social media users to prove their age, with the ban on under-16s coming into effect in December. The trial of age assurance technology revealed significant error rates, particularly for users close to the age limit. Facial age estimation tests, which average 40 seconds, can take much longer for some users, with errors leading to privacy concerns. The technology provider Yoti showed error rates of 34% for 14-year-olds and 73% for 15-year-olds, potentially allowing many to bypass the ban. The government acknowledges the need for fallback options and appeals processes for wrongful bans.
Why It's Important?
The age verification requirement is a major shift in social media regulation, aiming to protect young users but raising concerns about privacy and practicality. The high error rates in age estimation technology could lead to significant numbers of users being incorrectly assessed, impacting their access to social media. The law could also affect smaller social media providers, who may opt out of the Australian market due to compliance costs. The broader implications include potential privacy breaches and the need for robust appeal mechanisms to address wrongful bans.
What's Next?
As the law comes into effect, social media platforms will need to decide on the methods they will use for age verification. The government has emphasized less privacy-invasive methods, but smaller providers may face challenges in implementing these. The industry will be watching to see how platforms respond and whether they can effectively manage the verification process without significant user disruption. The potential for appeals and privacy concerns will likely be key areas of focus as the law is enforced.
