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Australia says platforms need not verify all ages for teen social media ban
The Straits Times
|September 17, 2025
It calls for the use of ‘minimally invasive’ methods to check ages to block those younger than 16
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SYDNEY - Australia urged social media platforms on Sept 16 to employ “minimally invasive” methods to check the age of users covered by its world-first teen social media ban, which take into account artificial intelligence and behavioural data.
Governments and tech firms worldwide are closely watching Australia’s effort to become the first country to block the use of social media by those younger than 16, starting from December.
“eSafety recommends the most minimally invasive techniques available,” the internet watchdog said in its guidance for firms to comply with the law passed in November 2024.
This story is from the September 17, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
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