Age assurance, an umbrella term that refers to technologies for verifying, estimating, or inferring an internet user's age, is being thrust into the global spotlight thanks to a blanket ban on social media use for people under 16 in Australia. The law, which is expected to come into force in Australia in November 2025, will require social media platforms to take 'reasonable steps' to ensure they verify users' age and prevent minors from accessing their services. Australia will try out age-assurance technologies next year to help regulators (its eSafety Commissioner is the relevant body) set some of the key parameters. This trial is likely to be closely watched elsewhere, too, given widespread concerns about the impact of social media on kids' well-being. Companies offering services in this area include the likes of U.S. identity giant Entrust (which earlier this year acquired U.K. digital ID startup Onfido); German startup veteran IDnow; U.S. firm Jumio, which actually started out...
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