The Australian government has launched a $6.5 million trial of “age assurance” technology. This initiative is part of a broader $1 billion package aimed at addressing gendered violence and includes a proposal to ban individuals under 16 from social media.

The trial will explore various methods of age verification, including matching driver’s licenses, credit cards, or passports against government databases. Additionally, the government may consider the use of biometric information, such as facial recognition, fingerprints, or voice analysis, as well as profiling online behavior through usernames, browsing history, and cookie data. Each of these methods carries different privacy risks and implications.

While the government refers to these tools as “age assurance,” many of them are more accurately described as “age estimation.” The distinction is significant, as age estimation technologies have been shown to be unreliable and biased, particularly across different racial and gender groups.

A recent study published in Big Data and Society highlighted the unreliability and biases inherent in facial age estimation tools. The research conducted by Abdul Obeid and colleagues revealed significant inaccuracies, especially for non-Caucasian individuals and younger children. These findings raise concerns about the fairness and effectiveness of using such technologies for age verification.

Civil society groups have expressed concerns about the privacy and feasibility of these measures. Issues include accessibility for individuals without identity documents, the financial burden on small websites, the potential misuse of collected data, and the likelihood of circumvention by tech-savvy minors.

The initiative to implement age verification for accessing pornography is part of a broader narrative that frames pornography as a primary factor in gendered violence. However, research indicates that the link between pornography and sexual violence is tenuous. Critics argue that this focus diverts resources from more effective, evidence-based strategies to combat gendered violence.

The idea of using facial recognition to restrict access to pornography was first proposed by then-Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton in 2019. This was the same year the government attempted to introduce a national facial recognition scheme to streamline identity verification across various government agencies.

As Australia moves forward with its age verification trial, the government faces significant challenges in balancing the protection of minors with the rights and privacy of adults. The trial’s outcome will likely influence future policy decisions and set a precedent for other countries grappling with similar issues.

The Australian government must consider the broader implications of these measures, ensuring that they do not inadvertently introduce new problems or exacerbate existing ones. In the meantime, advocates continue to call for more holistic and evidence-based approaches to addressing gendered violence and supporting the healthy sexual development of young people.

While the Australian government’s trial of age verification technology aims to protect minors from accessing pornography, it raises significant concerns about privacy, efficacy, and broader social implications.