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Australia’s trial of technology aimed at verifying users’ ages and preventing those under 16 from accessing social media has revealed both potential and significant challenges. While the Australian government remains committed to its plan to ban under-16s from social media, preliminary findings from the trial indicate that the technology is not foolproof and raises privacy concerns [[SOURCE]].
Age Verification Trial: Key Findings
The trial, conducted by the Age Check Certification Scheme and KJR, assessed over 50 companies offering age verification technologies, including AI-powered facial and voice analysis [[SOURCE]]. Preliminary results, though, showed that face-scanning technology was only 85% accurate within an 18-month range, with some teenage participants being misidentified as being in their 20s or 30s [[SOURCE]]. The final report is expected to be released at the end of July.
Did You Know? The best-in-class accuracy of age estimation technology is, on average, within one year and one month of a person’s real age, according to Iain Corby, executive director of the Age Verification Providers Association [[SOURCE]].
Despite these limitations,Tony Allen,the project director,believes that the technology,even with an accuracy range of plus or minus 18 months,can still be helpful in mitigating risks [[SOURCE]]. The trial also highlighted the risk of technology providers collecting excessive personal data, raising concerns about potential privacy breaches [[SOURCE]].
Challenges and Circumvention
Stakeholders have expressed concerns about the potential for children to bypass the age verification systems, either by manipulating facial recognition technology or enlisting the help of older individuals [[SOURCE]]. The trial acknowledged that there is no single, universally effective solution for age verification and that different approaches might potentially be needed for different situations [[SOURCE]].
Pro Tip: Combining multiple age verification methods, such as facial analysis with identity document verification or digital wallets, may improve accuracy and reduce the risk of circumvention [[2]].
The Path Forward
The Australian government’s plan to ban under-16s from social media is scheduled to take effect in December [[SOURCE]]. The legislation does not specify how platforms should enforce the ban, making the age verification trial crucial for identifying viable solutions [[SOURCE]]. The trial’s operators emphasize the need for careful consideration of privacy and security concerns when implementing age assurance measures [[SOURCE]].
Iain Corby suggests that the goal should be to prevent moast underage users from accessing social media most of the time, acknowledging that achieving perfect accuracy is unrealistic [[SOURCE]]. He also notes that increasing the effectiveness of age verification may require adult users to prove their age more frequently, which could be met with resistance [[SOURCE]].
Age Verification Technology: A summary
| Technology | Accuracy | Concerns |
|---|---|---|
| Facial Analysis | 85% within 18-month range | Misidentification, circumvention |
| Voice Analysis | Data not specified | Circumvention |
| ID Verification | Potentially high | Privacy, accessibility |
| Digital Wallets | Potentially high | Adoption rate, privacy |
What are the ethical considerations of using AI-powered age verification technologies, especially regarding data privacy and potential biases?
How can Australia balance the need to protect children online with the rights and freedoms of adult internet users?
