"The law, which threatens social media platforms with a fine of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars ($31.95m) for noncompliance, is one of the world's toughest regulations targeting Big Tech. In addition to Snapchat, the ban currently applies to YouTube, X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, Twitch and Kick. In a statement on Saturday, Snapchat said users will be able to verify their age through the ConnectID application, which links to their bank accounts, or by using software owned by Singapore-headquartered age-assurance provider, k-ID."
"ConnectID, which is owned and used by most major Australian banks, said it would send the tech platform a yes/no signal about whether the person was over 16 based on their account details, without making them upload sensitive information. The goal here is to protect young people online without creating new privacy risks, said ConnectID managing director Andrew Black in a statement."
"In the k-ID option, users can upload government-issued identification cards to verify their ages or submit photos, which the application will then use to estimate an age range. Snapchat has previously said it believes about 440,000 of its users in Australia are aged between 13 and 15. Snapchat added that it strongly disagreed with the Australian government's assessment that it should be included in the social media ban, claiming its service provides a visual messaging app."
Australia will enforce a world-first social media ban on children under 16 starting December 10, with fines up to 49.5 million Australian dollars for noncompliance. The ban covers Snapchat, YouTube, X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, Twitch and Kick. Snapchat began asking users in Australia to verify ages, offering ConnectID, which links to bank accounts and returns a yes/no over-16 signal without sharing sensitive data, and k-ID, which accepts government IDs or photos to estimate age ranges. ConnectID is owned and used by most major Australian banks. Snapchat estimates about 440,000 Australian users are aged 13–15 and disagrees with being included in the ban.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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