Meta has begun notifying Australian teenagers that their Facebook and Instagram accounts will be shut down as the country's social media ban for users under 16 approaches. Effective December 10, Meta will revoke access to existing accounts for those under the age threshold. Additionally, as of December 4, new account creation for users under 16 is being blocked. Affected teens will regain access to their old accounts once they turn 16.
A significant hurdle for Meta, however, lies in accurately verifying the age of its users. Individuals often misrepresent their age during social media sign-ups, and implementing safe and effective digital age verification methods remains notoriously difficult to execute. Identity verification services are prime targets for cyberattacks, and even minor security flaws can lead to severe consequences, including the exposure of personal information and government documents.
The security of identity verification platforms has already raised concerns. Last year, a report by 404 Media revealed that AU10TIX, a service used by platforms like TikTok, Uber, and X for user identity verification, had administrative credentials exposed online for over a year, potentially compromising sensitive user data.
