Report Finds Age Verification of Internet Users ‘Can Be Done in Australia’

Concerns of ‘unnecessary data retention’ were also raised in the report considering how the under-16 social media ban will be implemented.

Social media apps are displayed on a phone screen in a photo illustration on Dec. 1, 2024. Roni Bintang/Getty Images

The Australian Labor government has released an independent report confirming that age verification online is possible, without recommending a particular method.

The report was commissioned as the government prepares to enforce its under-16 social media ban by the end of the year.

Social media platforms could be subjected to fines of up to $49.5 million if they refuse to take “reasonable steps” to stop children under 16 from having an account.

The report listed 48 participants, including big tech companies Google, Snapchat, TikTok, Apple and Meta.

It assessed age verification, age estimation, age interference, successive validation, parental control and parental consent solutions.

Instead of recommending one particular technology, the report (pdf) confirmed that a wide range of approaches exist to verify age online.

“Age assurance can be done in Australia privately, efficiently and effectively,” the report said.

“A wide range of approaches exist, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution for all contexts.”

It found that there were “no substantial technology limitations” preventing successive validation implementation in Australia. Successive validation is age assurance where multiple methods are used - including age inference, estimation, and verification.

Data Retention Warning

The report also warned of the risk of “unnecessary data retention” in anticipation of future regulatory needs.

“We found some concerning evidence that in the absence of specific guidance, service providers were apparently over-anticipating the eventual needs of regulators about providing personal information for future investigations,” the report found.

“Some providers were found to be building tools to enable regulators, law enforcement or Coroners to retrace the actions taken by individuals to verify their age which could lead to increased risk of privacy breaches due to unnecessary and disproportionate collection and retention of data.”

Parental control systems to manage child access to digital content were examined. It found that they “can be effectively and securely deployed across Australian platforms and contexts.”

However, the trial also identified key areas for refinement.

“In some cases, children may be subject to restrictions without visibility or recourse—raising important questions around dignity, fairness and transparency,” the report stated.

It also raised surveillance concerns.

“In addition, while many systems are designed with privacy in mind, concerns remain around persistent activity logging, data retention, and the potential for over-surveillance—particularly if contextual signals are reused across services without consent.”

Labor Government Says Technology ‘Effective’

The Albanese government said the report found age assurance technology to be “effective in protecting young Australians from explicit and age-inappropriate content online.” 

Communications Minister Anika Wells said the government was pushing forward with their mission to “keep kids safer online.”

“This report is the latest piece of evidence showing digital platforms have access to technology to better protect young people from inappropriate content and harm,” she said.

“While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to age assurance, this trial shows there are many effective options and importantly that user privacy can be safeguarded.”

Shadow Minister Concerned No Definitive Answers

Meanwhile, Liberal Shadow for Communications Melissa McIntosh raised concerns about facial recognition software.

Multiple verification methods are suggested in the report, including “reviewing someone’s online footprint, providing personal identification documents or facial recognition.”

“For months now, there has been reporting on the dangers of facial recognition software for verification purposes given there can be an inaccuracy range of two or three years of age, meaning those who are 13 could sneak through the cracks and have social media accounts,” she said.

McIntosh said the report came at ten seconds to midnight before the age limit commences.

“In 100 days, the Albanese Labor Government’s social media age minimum commences, and social media platforms are still no closer to definitive answers on what ‘reasonable steps’ they must take for under-16s to not hold accounts.”

She noted the eSafety Commissioner would still need to review the report and make decisions.

“Families and the tech industry will now be kept waiting by the eSafety Commissioner, who will review the report and assert what ‘reasonable steps’ social media platforms must implement. It is the eSafety Commissioner who has this power, not the government.”