Platforms Won’t Be Required to Age Check Every User Under New Social Media Guidelines

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has published its list of regulatory guidelines for enforcing the nation’s flagship minimum age requirements for social media.

Australia’s ban on under-16s accessing social media is due to kick in on Dec. 10.

Some of the key responsibilities that will be levelled at big tech companies will include detecting and deactivating or removing underage accounts, preventing re-registration, and providing accessible review systems for users who may be incorrectly flagged.

Self-declaration of age will not be considered a strong enough measure, so companies will be required to use other ways to identify the ages of users.

Systems for age recognition will also have to be monitored and streamlined over time.

But companies will not be required to confirm the ages of every user, especially where existing data can infer a user’s age.

Tech companies will also be urged to offer alternatives to government identification if proof of age is required.

Platforms also won’t be required to use particular technologies or measures, and won’t be allowed to store personal data collected during age checks.

They also won’t be required to guide users to other services.

“We know that many companies are already using sophisticated age indicators—such as behavioural data and natural language processing and analysis—to estimate how old their users are,” eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said.

“It is therefore expected that platforms will leverage these existing signals for safety purposes in a privacy-preserving way to protect younger users.

“This legislation puts the onus on platforms, not parents, carers or young people.”

Inman Grant said the layered “waterfall” approach meant applying different measures across different platforms.

“As we work towards implementing this world-first legislation, we remain deeply engaged with industry to ensure they have all of the information they need to comply,” she said.

“Our principles-based guidance recognises that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for industry, given the diversity of platforms and technology, and to help technology companies meet their obligations in a way that is effective, privacy-preserving and fair.”

Regarding tech companies, Communications Minister Anika Wells said it was “now on them” to ensure platforms took the necessary steps to comply.

“This industry guidance makes clear our strong expectations that social media platforms step up to the plate to implement the minimum age in a way that is effective, private, and fair on Australian users,” she said.

The Australian tech platform body, the Digital Industry Group Inc (DIGI), says clarity around incoming rules will be essential.

“DIGI is carefully reviewing the eSafety Commissioner’s reasonable steps guidance for the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024,” DIGI Managing Director Sunita Bose told The Epoch Times.

“With less than 100 days remaining until the proposed enforcement deadline, clarity for industry and the public is essential.

“We remain committed to working constructively with the eSafety Commissioner’s Office and the Government to ensure that any age assurance framework is workable, reliable, and effective and look forward to continuing engagement on the details of implementation.”