Australia to Trial Age Assurance Technologies for Online Safety

Australia's New Online Safety Initiative

In a significant move to enhance online safety for young people, the Australian government has announced a trial of age assurance technologies. This initiative follows recent legislation banning under-16s from social media and aims to prevent under-18s from accessing online pornography 1

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The Trial: Key Details

The trial, set to begin next year, will be led by the British company Age Check Certification Scheme. It will involve approximately 1,100 Australians of various ages and cultural backgrounds, testing three main technology options for age verification 1

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Age Assurance Technologies Under Scrutiny

1. Age Verification: This method uses identity credentials such as digital IDs, driver's licenses, or passports to verify a user's age 1

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2. Age Estimation: This technology analyzes biological or behavioral features that change with age, such as facial features or voice recordings. It may employ machine learning and AI, with potential configuration settings to avoid false positives 1

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3. Age Inference: This approach infers adulthood based on life circumstances, such as marital status, credit card ownership, or possession of a government email address 1

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Reliability Concerns

Each technology presents unique challenges:

• Age Verification: While potentially reliable, it may be vulnerable to teenagers using their parents' credentials 1

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• Age Estimation: Previous evaluations show an average accuracy within 3.7 years of a person's true age, with poorer performance for tweens and teens compared to adults over 20 1

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• Age Inference: This method might exclude young adults who live with their parents and lack independent financial records 1

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Privacy Implications

The trial will evaluate privacy implications of each technology. However, it remains unclear how well Australians understand these risks 1

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Related Stories

Australia's Social Media Age Assurance Trial: Effective Solutions Found, But No One-Size-Fits-All Approach

Age verification tech matures as governments push aggressive online safety laws for kids

Australia Pioneers 'Minimally Invasive' Age Checks for Teen Social Media Ban

Australia's eSafety Commissioner Pushes for YouTube Inclusion in Under-16 Social Media Ban

Public Opinion and Future Challenges

While 2024 polling suggests public support for age assurance to protect minors online, attitudes may shift when these technologies are actually deployed 1

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AI and Machine Learning in Age Assurance

The use of AI and machine learning in age estimation technologies highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence in online safety measures. These systems may require careful configuration and "age buffers" to mitigate inherent performance errors 1

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Conclusion

As Australia prepares to implement these measures, the effectiveness of the chosen technology and public acceptance remain to be seen. The outcome of this trial could significantly influence future online safety policies and regulations worldwide.