Meta Unifies Age-Check Amid Global Child Safety Crackdown
Meta is introducing a new age-checking system designed to assist social media companies in adhering to an increasing array of child protection laws globally, as reported. The decision arises as authorities intensify efforts to restrict children’s exposure to harmful or adult material on online platforms. The company has formed a partnership with Singapore-based startup K-ID to incorporate its AgeKey technology into Meta’s applications. The system is anticipated to be launched in multiple countries next year. Meta’s decision is regarded as a significant advancement in establishing a common and interoperable standard for age verification. This is particularly significant as nations like the UK, Australia, and certain regions of the US and Europe implement or contemplate more stringent regulations regarding teenagers’ use of social media. AgeKey enables users to confirm their age a single time, allowing them to utilize that verification across various applications that endorse the system. Meta states that this approach simplifies the process and is less intrusive than existing age-check methods. Antigone Davis, Meta’s global head of safety, characterized AgeKey as a “much more user-friendly option” compared to current systems. AgeKey is constructed using the same standards-based technology that powers passkeys. Passkeys utilize a phone’s integrated fingerprint or facial recognition technology to access applications without the need for passwords. The news report indicated that this technology is already supported by major smartphone operating systems, browsers, and computers.
The absence of unified global standards for age verification has posed significant challenges for both major technology firms and smaller digital enterprises. While companies such as Meta, Google, and TikTok possess the resources to navigate various systems, startups frequently find it challenging to comply with the same regulatory requirements. Critics, including privacy advocates and operators of adult websites, have raised concerns regarding age verification. Numerous users express concern that stringent checks might jeopardize their online anonymity or result in the misuse of personal data. Meta employs a combination of its proprietary age estimation tools alongside third-party services, including the UK-based Yoti, to adhere to regulations such as the UK’s Online Safety Act and Australia’s prohibition on social media access for those under 16.
K-ID stated that AgeKey is intended to safeguard user privacy. The system solely informs an application about a user’s compliance with the necessary age requirements and the method of verification employed. The user’s precise age, date of birth, or any other personal details are not disclosed. The company asserts that AgeKey cannot be utilized to monitor users across applications, responding to one of the primary concerns highlighted by privacy advocates. In contrast to passkeys, which are managed by the Fido Alliance, AgeKey operates through a fully owned K-ID subsidiary known as the OpenAge Initiative. Julian Corbett, co-founder of K-ID and head of OpenAge, stated that the structure facilitated a quicker market introduction of the technology. He stated that the company is contemplating spinning off the unit to preserve its “neutrality”.
AgeKey is available at no cost for individuals, whereas online platforms incur charges of “fractions of a cent” for each verification. Meta’s action follows the implementation of Australia’s new social media ban for individuals under 16, garnering international attention. The law mandates that platforms like TikTok and Instagram must prevent underage users from accessing their services, or they risk incurring fines that could reach as high as $49.5 million. Australia stands as the inaugural democracy to implement such stringent measures. Other nations, such as Indonesia, Denmark, and Brazil, are also contemplating stricter regulations. Although platforms have stated their intention to comply, numerous critics contend that the regulations were hastily implemented and may drive children towards less regulated areas of the internet. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated, “It is a profound reform which will continue to reverberate around the world in coming months. This reform will change lives for Australian kids, allowing them to just have their childhood.”
