Australia

Six new Industry Codes for adult content age checks come into effect: These codes require Australians to verify their age for platforms containing 'adult' content, covering app distribution, designated internet services, relevant electronic services, social media (core/messaging features), and equipment.

Phase 1 Industry Codes for hosting, internet carriage, and search engine services come into effect: These codes require age verification measures for services providing or permitting sharing of Class 1C and Class 2 material.

Social media ban for under 16s takes effect: Deadline for social media platforms to deactivate accounts of underage users (under 16) as per the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024.

Final draft of Consolidated Industry Codes of Practice for Class 2 material expected: Industry codes prescribing age verification requirements for online pornography and other harmful content are expected to be submitted for registration by eSafety.

Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 (Cth) passed: Amends the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) to require the Information Commissioner to develop a Children’s Online Privacy Code.

Online Safety Amendment legislation introduced to ban social media for under 16s: Legislation introduced with proposed fines up to A$49.5 million for systemic breaches by social media platforms.

Prime Minister Albanese confirms social media ban for under 16s: Confirmation that legislation will be introduced in November to ban young people under the age of 16 from using social media, without parental consent exemptions.

Prime Minister Albanese confirms legislation for minimum social media age: Announcement of federal government's intention to introduce legislation to enforce a minimum age for access to social media and other relevant digital platforms (likely 14-16 years).

Development of Phase 2 Industry Codes for Class 2 material formally commences: eSafety begins working with industry to draft codes addressing online pornography and other content inappropriate for children.

Australian Government announces pilot of age assurance technology: A$6.5 million allocated in the 2024 Budget to conduct a pilot of age assurance technology to protect children from harmful content, like pornography and other age-restricted online services.

Australian Government responds to eSafety's age verification roadmap: The government noted the roadmap's recommendations but initially decided to await outcomes of class 2 industry codes before deciding on a potential trial.

Online Safety Act 2021 (Cth) becomes effective: This is the primary federal law empowering the eSafety Commissioner to protect Australians from online harms, including addressing adult content accessible to children.

Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 (Cth) becomes effective: Establishes the national classification scheme for films, computer games, and publications, including R18+ and X18+ categories, which are referenced by later online safety laws.