Australia tests tech to verify users' ages, bans under-16s from social media starting December.

An independent trial in Australia has shown that technology can effectively verify ages to prevent children under 16 from accessing social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and others. Over 60 tools were tested, and the report concluded that age assurance can be done privately, efficiently, and effectively, though systems may face rapidly evolving threats. The federal government announced a social media ban for under-16s, set to take effect in December, with tech giants facing fines of up to $49.5 million for non-compliance.