Australia’s Online Safety Regime Faces Scrutiny as Age Verification Rules Take Effect

The Australian federal government is acknowledging ongoing challenges in implementing its recently enacted social media age verification laws, with tech companies facing the prospect of substantial fines for non-compliance. The laws, designed to protect children online, have been in effect for 100 days, yet concerns remain about their efficacy.

eSafety Commissioner Investigates Circumvention of Age Restrictions

In response to reports that children are easily bypassing the age restrictions, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant announced an “intensive investigation” to assess whether companies are implementing reasonable measures to detect and deactivate accounts belonging to users under the age of 16. The agency is prepared to levy fines of up to $49.5 million against non-compliant platforms. eSafety Commissioner

Background on Julie Inman Grant and the eSafety Commissioner

Julie Inman Grant currently serves as Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, a role she has held since January 2017. She leads the world’s first government regulatory agency dedicated to online safety. Julie Inman Grant Prior to this role, Inman Grant held various positions at Microsoft, including Asia-Pacific director of internet safety, privacy and security, and global director for safety and privacy policy and outreach. She also worked at Twitter as director of public policy in Australia and south-east Asia, and at Adobe as director of government relations in the Asia-Pacific region. She holds a Public Service Medal awarded in the 2026 Australia Day Honours for her contributions to online safety for Australians.

Data on Blocked Accounts Remains Confidential

Despite the investigation, data detailing the number of underage users successfully blocked from social media platforms is currently being withheld from public view. This lack of transparency has fueled criticism regarding the effectiveness of the new regulations.

The eSafety Commissioner’s Mandate

The eSafety Commissioner’s role extends beyond age verification. The agency is responsible for a broad range of online safety issues, including cyberbullying, illegal and harmful content, and image-based abuse. The current focus on age verification represents a significant step in the government’s efforts to create a safer online environment for children and young people.