The federal government is set to unveil new guidelines for social media companies regarding the enforcement of its ban on users under 16. The details will be released on Tuesday, outlining the expectations for platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Snapchat to comply with the law, which takes effect on December 10.

Under the new rules, social media companies will not be required to verify the age of every user or meet a specific quota for removing underage accounts. Instead, they must demonstrate to the eSafety watchdog that they have taken "reasonable steps" to eliminate accounts belonging to users under 16. However, there will be no legally enforceable standard for how accurately they must do this.

A recent study on age verification methods revealed that while several techniques are viable, none are foolproof. Concerns about accuracy and privacy have been raised, particularly regarding the potential for misidentifying users. For instance, tests showed that children as young as 15 were often misidentified as being in their 20s or 30s.

The guidelines will not dictate which technology platforms should use for age verification. Instead, companies are expected to maintain transparency in their policies and provide a process for users to dispute wrongful account deactivations. eSafety can take legal action against platforms that fail to show they have made the necessary efforts, with fines reaching up to $49.5 million for violations.

Communications Minister Anika Wells emphasized that the government has provided platforms with the information needed to comply with the new laws. "Now it's on them to take the necessary steps," she stated. While compliance is expected from day one of the ban, a spokesperson indicated that an adjustment period may be allowed.

Wells and eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant have acknowledged that some accounts may inevitably slip through the cracks. They have stressed the importance of balancing the ban with user privacy, advising platforms against a blanket verification approach and stating that they should not retain user age data.

The guidelines will encourage a "layered" approach to age verification, utilizing multiple methods to assess user age while minimizing friction for users. This could include AI-driven models that analyze facial features or track user behavior.

The release of these guidelines is the final step before the ban is implemented, and it has raised concerns within the tech sector. Some companies had hoped for a grace period to adjust to the new requirements, while others sought more prescriptive guidelines to reduce ambiguity. However, the government maintains that the one-year lead time has provided ample opportunity for platforms to prepare.

In addition to the age ban, the Albanese government is also focusing on regulating artificial intelligence. Industry Minister Tim Ayres is expected to address the need for responsible AI use at the Tech Council's annual summit, emphasizing the importance of user safety and trust in technology. He will call for a collective and democratic approach to addressing the risks associated with AI, ensuring that its benefits are shared broadly across society.