Australia's Digital Frontier: How Google and Microsoft are Gearing Up for Mandatory Age Verification and a $50 Million Fine
AI Article - deep dive.
Australia's Digital Frontier: How Google and Microsoft are Gearing Up for Mandatory Age Verification and a $50 Million Fine.
TL;DR : Only affecting search so if you are logged into Chrome for example and the AI cant work out your age you will get filterd/blurred search results until you ID.
As Australia continues its push to create a safer online environment, a significant new regulation is set to dramatically reshape how major tech companies like Google and Microsoft operate their search engine services.1 From December 27, 2025, the Internet Search Engine Services Online Safety Code will mandate stringent age assurance measures for all logged-in Australian users, with non-compliance carrying a hefty penalty of up to AU $49.5 million per breach [1, 8.1].2 This move positions Australia at the forefront of global efforts to protect children from harmful online content, but raises critical questions about implementation, user privacy, and the future of digital access.
The Mandate: A Deeper Dive into the Online Safety Code
The new Code, registered by the Australian eSafety Commissioner, is a key component of the broader Online Safety Act 2021 (Cth) [1, 10.2].3 Its primary objective is to limit children's exposure to abhorrent violent material, online pornography, and self-harm content within search engine results [1, 4.1, 6.1].4
Specifically, the Code demands that internet search engine providers take "reasonable steps" to implement:5
Appropriate Age Assurance for Account Holders: This is not merely about asking a user if they are over 18.6 It requires robust systems to determine whether a logged-in Australian user is likely an adult or a child [1].7
Default Safety Settings for Children: If age assurance indicates a logged-in user is "likely to be an Australian child" (under 18), specific safety tools, such as "Safe Search" functionality, must be applied at their highest level by default.8 This filter must, at a minimum, block online pornography and high-impact violence material from search results [1, 6.1]. Crucially, this also extends to preventing advertising in these content areas from being served to child account holders [6.1].
Content Blurring for Unlogged Users: For users who are not logged in, the Code stipulates the "default blurring of images of online pornography and high-impact violence material detected in search results" [4.1].9 This aims to mitigate accidental exposure.10
Broad Definition of "Search Functionality": The regulation applies not only to traditional search results but also to "any features integrated within the search functionality and the user interface," explicitly including results generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) if they are part of the search experience [6.1]. However, it does not extend to standalone applications or private messaging services [6.1].
The $50 Million Question: Why a Blanket Block is Unlikely
The significant fine for non-compliance begs the question: will Google and Microsoft simply block unverified accounts, particularly those associated with popular services like Gmail? The answer is almost certainly no.
The notion that unverified email accounts will be shut down is a misunderstanding of the Code's scope. The regulation is laser-focused on search engine functionality and the content displayed within search results, not the broader functionality of an email service [1, 9.1].
Implementing a blanket block on all unverified accounts would be a commercially catastrophic decision for these tech giants. It would:
Massively Disrupt User Access: Millions of adult Australian users would lose seamless access to essential online services, leading to widespread frustration and potential migration to alternative platforms.
Result in Enormous Business Loss: Such a move would severely impact market share and advertising revenue in Australia, which is a significant digital economy.
Be Disproportionate to the Goal: The Code aims to protect children from specific harmful content in search, not to restrict adult access to the internet. Robust age assurance and content filtering mechanisms are the mandated solutions, not wholesale account disabling [1].
Therefore, rather than an indiscriminate lockout, Google and Microsoft will be compelled to implement sophisticated age assurance systems that allow for nuanced compliance.
How Google and Microsoft are Preparing: Leveraging Global Age Assurance Technologies
While neither Google nor Microsoft has issued specific official statements detailing their exact implementation strategy for Australia, both companies, as members of the Digital Industry Group Inc.11 (DIGI), have been actively exploring and trialing a range of age assurance technologies globally [1].12 It is expected they will leverage this existing expertise to meet the Australian requirements.
Anticipated methods include:
Machine Learning-based Age Estimation: Utilising AI and large language models (LLMs) to infer an account holder's age based on Browse patterns, account activity, and other contextual data.13 This passive method aims to provide a frictionless experience for many users [1].
Selfie Verification & Government ID: For cases where age inference is ambiguous, or a user attempts to access age-restricted content, explicit verification may be required.14 This could involve requesting users to upload a selfie or a government-issued identification document (e.g., driver's license, passport).15 Technologies from providers like Yoti, which perform one-time facial scans without retaining biometric data, are being considered to address privacy concerns [1, 3.1, 6.1].
Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) Cryptography: This cutting-edge privacy-preserving technology allows an individual to prove they are above a certain age threshold without revealing their actual date of birth or other personal identifiers.16 This balances compliance with user privacy [12.2].
Digital Identity Wallets and Integration: Leveraging emerging digital identity frameworks, potentially including Australia's own Digital ID system, or integrating with platforms like Google Wallet.17 These systems allow users to verify their age through trusted third parties (e.g., banks) that already hold verified identity data, streamlining the process [1, 12.1].18
Parental Attestation and Controls: For younger users, systems may allow a verified parent or guardian to attest to their child's age, often through linked accounts. Enhanced parental control options will likely be provided to allow guardians to manage or limit their children's access to adult material [6.1].19
Proactive Safeguards: The Code also requires "preventing autocomplete predictions that are sexually explicit or violent" and prominently displaying "crisis-prevention information" (e.g., helplines) for searches related to self-harm or eating disorders [6.1].20
Precedents and Broader Implications
Australia's push for robust age verification is part of a growing global trend to enhance online safety, particularly for children.21 Similar measures are being implemented or explored in other jurisdictions:
United Kingdom's Online Safety Act: As of July 2025, the UK's Online Safety Act requires websites and apps hosting potentially harmful content (pornography, self-harm, eating disorder, suicide-related material) to implement "highly effective" age verification or assurance [11.1].22 Non-compliant companies face fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global turnover, and senior managers could face criminal liability [11.1].
EU's Digital Identity Wallet: The European Commission is working on a harmonised approach to age verification, exemplified by a blueprint for an age verification solution that allows users to prove they are over 18 without sharing excessive personal information.23 This "mini wallet" is built on the technical specifications of the future European Digital Identity Wallets, aiming for privacy-preserving and user-friendly verification [12.1].24
Australia's Social Media Minimum Age Ban: In late 2024, Australia passed legislation to restrict social media access for Australians under 16 [13.1].25 While distinct from the search engine code, this shows a clear legislative intent to protect minors online, although some critics raise concerns about its enforceability and potential to push youth to less regulated platforms [13.1, 13.2].
The implementation of these measures will undoubtedly impact the user experience in Australia. Logged-in users may encounter new prompts for age verification, or their search results may automatically default to a filtered mode if their age cannot be confidently assured.26 This could disrupt the seamless, cross-device experience users currently enjoy, especially within families where multiple users share accounts or devices [6.1].
While there are concerns about the accuracy of age estimation tools and the potential for users to circumvent controls (e.g., via VPNs or using older individuals' accounts) [6.1], the eSafety Commissioner's substantial enforcement powers, including the AU $49.5 million per breach fine, provide a powerful incentive for compliance [8.1].
Ultimately, December 27, 2025, marks a pivotal moment for online safety in Australia. Google and Microsoft are not expected to arbitrarily shut down unverified accounts but will instead roll out sophisticated, multi-faceted age assurance systems to comply with the Code. This will necessitate a careful balancing act between protecting vulnerable users, maintaining privacy, and ensuring continued access to the vast resources of the internet.
References:
[1] Dundas Lawyers.27 (2025, July 11). How are Google and Microsoft implementing age verification?. Retrieved from https://www.dundaslawyers.com.au/how-are-google-and-microsoft-implementing-age-verification/
[2] KHQ Lawyers. (2025, June 18). Children's online privacy v online safety: Australia stepping up its regulation. Retrieved from https://khq.com.au/blog/childrens-online-privacy-v-online-safety-australia-stepping-up-its-regulation-2/
[3.1] Google Account Help. Access age-restricted content & features. Retrieved from https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/10071085?hl=en#zippy=
[3.2] 10 News First. (2025, July 11). Australian Government Wants To Add Age Verification To Google Searches. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGQGeoItiAA
[4.1] Mashable. (2025, July 3).28 Age verification is coming to search engines in Australia.29 Retrieved from https://mashable.com/article/microsoft-google-search-age-verification-rules-australia
[4.2] Microsoft Support. Microsoft account security info & verification codes. Retrieved from https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/microsoft-account-security-info-verification-codes-bf2505ca-cae5-c5b4-77d1-69d3343a5452
[5.1] Digital Industry Group Inc. (DIGI). Inquiry into Social Media and Online Safety Submission 46. Retrieved from https://digi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Sub046-Digital-Industry-Group-Inc-DIGI-2.pdf
[5.2] Digital Industry Group Inc. (DIGI). (2022, January 31). Privacy Act Review | DIGI FINAL submission | Jan 31 2022 REDACTED. Retrieved from https://digi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Privacy-Act-Review--DIGI-FINAL-submission--Jan-31-2022-REDACTED.pdf
[6.1] SBS News. (2025, July 3). Why Australians will soon need to verify their age to log in to search tools. Retrieved from https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/why-australians-will-soon-need-to-verify-their-age-to-log-in-to-search-tools/c20ofisf9
[7.1] Parliament of Australia. (2024, August 21). Children, online safety, and age verification. Retrieved from https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/Research/Research_Papers/2024-25/Children_online_safety
[8.1] Cyber Security Review. (2025, July 20). Australia mandates age verification on major platforms, threatens $50M fines. Retrieved from https://www.cybersecurity-review.com/australia-mandates-age-verification-on-major-platforms-threatens-50m-fines/
[9.1] 10 News First. (2025, July 11). Australians May Soon Need Age Verification To Access Google Under New E-Safety Rules. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUPOp2bCVN4
[10.1] eSafety Commissioner. An overview of eSafety's role and functions. Retrieved from https://www.esafety.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-07/Overview%20of%20role%20and%20functions_0.pdf
[10.2] eSafety Commissioner. What we do. Retrieved from https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do
[11.1] Computing UK. (2025, July 25). Age verification for risky sites comes into force in the UK.30 Retrieved from https://www.computing.co.uk/news/2025/age-verification-comes-into-force-in-the-uk-for-risky-sites
[12.1] European Union. (2025, July 14). The EU approach to age verification. Retrieved from https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/eu-age-verification
[12.2] New America. (2025, July 17). Exploring Privacy-Preserving Age Verification: A Close Look at Zero-Knowledge Proofs. Retrieved from https://www.newamerica.org/oti/briefs/exploring-privacy-preserving-age-verification/
[13.1] The Strategist. (2024, December 6). The problems with Australia's social media youth law. Retrieved from https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-problems-with-australias-social-media-youth-law/
[13.2] Australian Institute of International Affairs. (2024, December 19). Balancing Protection and Risk: Australia's Social Media Ban and the Threat of Youth Radicalisation. Retrieved from https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/balancing-protection-and-risk-australias-social-media-ban-and-the-threat-of-youth-radicalisation/