Age-check providers want Australia to 'test' social media platforms

Providers of age-verification services are calling on Australia to actively "test" social media platforms, suggesting a need for more rigorous evaluation of their age-checking systems. One prominent firm has issued a stark warning, stating that substantial fines could still be viewed as a "small price to pay" by platforms if Australia's ban is "wrongly" perceived as a failure. This submission highlights concerns that the current regulatory approach might not be sufficiently deterrent, potentially allowing platforms to absorb penalties without fundamentally changing their practices. The providers emphasize the importance of ensuring that the ban is effective and not undermined by platforms that might treat fines as a minor cost of doing business. The call for testing suggests a desire for more proactive enforcement and a clearer demonstration of compliance from social media companies.

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big fines may still be seen as a "small price to pay" if it allowed Australia's ban to "wrongly" be portrayed as a failure.