Federal Government has decided not to require adult websites to use age verification technology

Adult websites will not be required to implement age verification, addressing concerns about privacy and the limitations of current technology. 

Instead, the government has tasked the eSafety commissioner with working alongside the industry to create a code that educates parents on how to use filtering software and restrict children's access to inappropriate content. 

The government believes that every age verification technology has its own issues related to privacy, security, effectiveness, or implementation. In addition, new codes will be developed by eSafety after the initial set of industry codes is implemented later this year. A review of the Online Safety Act will also be conducted in 2024 to ensure its effectiveness. 

The UK's approach to age assurance will be closely monitored as well. According to eSafety's research, a significant number of 16 to 18-year-olds have been exposed to online pornography at a young age. 

While the report suggested piloting age assurance technologies, the government did not adopt this proposal.

- CyberBeat