Platform companies like Meta and TikTok will not be required to participate in the government’s trial of age assurance technologies, leaving the regulator reliant on the companies’ willingness to work cooperatively ahead of regulation.
The dependence, revealed by officials on Tuesday, sparked criticism that the $6.5 million trial is little more than a desktop research exercise relying on tech giants that have already spurned regulatory efforts.
But as the online safety regulator pushes ahead with additional industry codes that force platforms to protect children from graphic pornography, officials say it will be in the companies’ interest to participate in the age assurance trial.
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