The Australian government is trialing technology to verify the age of individuals using social media, preventing those under the age of 16 from accessing these platforms. However, the operators of the trial acknowledge that the current systems, which involve artificial intelligence analyzing voices and faces or other methods like ID verification or digital wallets, are not foolproof. Inaccurate results have been recorded with both youths and adults, indicating that these age estimation technologies have limitations, typically being accurate within one to two years. The government, under the Albanese administration, plans to enforce this social media ban starting in December. Their assessment of over 50 companies’ age verification technologies is crucial to the scheme’s success. The trial, conducted by the Age Check Certification Scheme and partner KJR, was initially due to present its findings in June but has been delayed until the end of July; more detailed data and conclusions are to be released then.
Though the trial recognizes a variety of verification methods could be suitable, there is no “guaranteed to be effective” technology for all scenarios. Nevertheless, the trial operators emphasize the potential for age assurance systems to work in protecting privacy. Concerns have been raised over providers potentially gathering excessive personal information and the possibility of underage individuals finding ways to bypass the system with help from older family members or by manipulating facial recognition tools. The trial is also addressing these concerns and working on strategies to mitigate risks associated with minors circumventing the systems.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/jun/20/social-media-ban-trial-tech-flaws
