{ AUSTRALIA } SOCIAL MEDIA FIRMS FACE A FINE OF UP TO $32 MILLION FOR NON-COMPLIANCE Report raises concerns over age-verification software ahead of Oz teen social media ban

An Australian government-commissioned report said selfie-based age guessing software could enforce a teen social media ban, but noted that some groups experienced “unacceptable” levels of inaccuracy, raising concerns about the December rollout.

- Reuters

The report, published by the government on Monday, said photo-based age estimation products were broadly accurate, fast and privacy-respecting but noted worsening results for people near the age minimum of 16.

The findings foreshadow a mixed experience once the ban takes effect in December: Caucasians three years over the age cutoff can expect minimal dis-

ruption, but non-Caucasians and teenage girls face challenges.