Kids under 16 may soon face social media ban after Australia proves it has tech for age verification
At the heart of the proposed verification model is a layered approach. It begins with traditional ID-based checks using documents like passport or driver's licence. These are verified through independent systems, and platforms never directly access the documents.Biometric estimation adds another layer: users can upload a selfie or short video that AI analyses to determine age. This method is quick and does not store biometric data. A third component – contextual inference – draws from behavioural patterns such as email type, language, and digital behaviour to further estimate a user's age. While not reliable alone, it helps strengthen the system when used with other layers.advertisementTogether, these technologies aim to prevent children from easily bypassing checks while also respecting privacy.From December 2025, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and X will be required to take 'reasonable steps' to keep underage users off their services. If they fail, they could face penalties of up to A$49.5 million (which is about US $32 million) per violation.Some platforms, including YouTube, WhatsApp and Google Classroom, are exempt for now. Australia's move is being closely monitored by other countries, including the UK, New Zealand, and members of the EU, all of which are exploring ways to regulate children's access to social media. The Australian government sees this trial as proof that privacy and child protection can go hand in hand. A spokesperson for the eSafety Commissioner's office reportedly called the findings 'a useful indication of the likely outcomes from the trial', and added that when deployed correctly, the technologies 'can be private, robust and effective.'Despite the positive trial results, there are still some caveats. Children may try to bypass age checks using VPNs, shared devices or borrowed credentials. It will now be up to social media platforms to detect and prevent these workarounds – a responsibility they've rarely shouldered at this scale before.Tune In
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Business Standard
17 minutes ago
- Business Standard
India, US negotiating agreement to liberalise trade in goods: Minister
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Hindustan Times
17 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Relationship on the mend
The latest engagement between top Indian and Chinese leaders has taken on added significance because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit against the backdrop of considerable strain in India-US relations, and also because of the substantial outcomes it produced, ranging from new measures for delimiting and managing the disputed border to the reopening of border trade points and resumption of direct flights at the earliest. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi's meetings with national security adviser Ajit Doval and external affairs minister S Jaishankar in Delhi were marked by an acknowledgement on both sides of progress in normalising relations after a difficult period, when ties hit an all-time low over the standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), and of the need for a more constructive approach to move forward, especially in the area of trade. When Wang called on him, the Prime Minister underlined that 'stable, predictable, and constructive ties between India and China will contribute significantly to regional and global peace and prosperity'. There are already signs that China is addressing India's concerns related to import restrictions on rare earth minerals and fertilisers, which have had far-reaching implications for India's manufacturing and agricultural sectors. Compared to the position the two countries were in at this time last year, there has been substantive progress in the overall relationship. In all this, India will do well to maintain its pragmatic approach without losing sight of sensitive issues. New Delhi, in fact, raised its concern about 'terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism'. Wang is expected to travel to Islamabad for a strategic dialogue shortly. Jaishankar also conveyed India's concerns about China's proposed mega dam that can affect flows in the Brahmaputra and emphasised the need for transparency in this regard. The current urgency on the part of Beijing and New Delhi to normalise their relations also owes to the uncertainty brought on by US President Donald Trump's arbitrary trade policies. However, it also serves China's interests to reduce tensions with India so that it can focus on larger issues, especially given the country's sluggish economy. In this context, Modi's visit to China will be crucial as it will set up a bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping, only the second since the end of the border standoff. Both sides will be looking to this meeting to set the tone and tenor of relations in the coming months, including more confidence-building measures and bilateral engagements to address the border and other issues.
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First Post
17 minutes ago
- First Post
United reportedly front-runners to sign Sevilla midfielder as hopes of landing Baleba fade ahead of transfer deadline
With Ruben Amorim's hopes of signing Brighton and Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba fading due to a £100 million asking price, Manchester United have now reportedly turned their attention to Sevilla midfielder Lucien Agoume. Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim reportedly is hopeful of signing midfielder Lucien Agoume from Sevilla before the end of the summer transfer on 1 September. Reuters Manchester United are not giving up on their quest to bolster their midfield even if their hopes of signing Carlos Baleba from Brighton and Hove Albion are fading away with the transfer deadline fast approaching. With a little over 10 days left in the summer transfer window, the 'Red Devils' have now turned their attention towards Sevilla midfielder Lucien Agoume. Sevilla-based outlet Orgullo Biri reported that United currently are well ahead in the race to sign the Frenchman, who has a release clause of £34.5 million ($46.54 million) but is willing to bring his price down to £26 million ($35.07 million). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Read | Arsenal had also expressed interest in signing the 23-year-old Cameroonian-born midfielder as a possible replacement for Thomas Partey. The Gunners, however, chose to sign Christian Norgaard and Martin Zubimendi from Brentford and Real Sociedad respectively. More from Football After making his professional debut with Sochaux at the age of 16, Agoume would move to Serie A giants Inter Milan the following season, spending a full season with them before being loaned to various clubs including LaLiga's Sevilla – which made the deal permanent last year. United still eyeing Sporting CP's Hjulmand United haven't taken their eyes off Sporting CP's Morten Hjulmand either, and are reportedly willing to shore up their bid to £50 million ($67.45 million) for the Dane who has been described by Amorim as a 'complete' midfielder. Hjulmand had joined the club in 2023 and played more than a season under Amorim until the latter left Sporting for United. The 13-time Premier League champions were forced to abandon hope of signing Baleba after the Seagulls demanded £100 million for the Cameroonian. United have already spent more than £200 million in signing the trio of Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha to overhaul their attack. Also Read | United had also hoped for out-of-favour winger Jadon Sancho's proposed loan move to Italy with AS Roma to be completed before the transfer deadline, with Old Trafford set to earn £20 million ($26.98 million) if the deal were made permanent. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sancho, however, with his agent reportedly informing Roma of the England international's rejection.
