New regulations requiring search engines such as Google to verify the age of logged-in users — and to filter content for everyone else — took effect in Australia this week.
The rules, introduced by the Australian eSafety Commissioner, came into force on Dec. 27 and include a six-month transition period for full compliance. Under the framework, search engines must implement age-verification measures using tools such as photo identification, facial scanning, credit cards, digital ID systems, parental consent, artificial intelligence, or third-party verification services.
Regulatory guidance mandates that the highest level of safety filtering be applied by default to accounts believed to belong to users under 18. Platforms are also required to establish reporting mechanisms to identify violations and to filter search results to block unsafe material, including pornography and graphic violence.
The measures have drawn sharp criticism from privacy and free-speech advocates.
Jason Bassler, co-founder of The Free Thought Project podcast, wrote on X on Monday that “starting two days ago, Australians are now required to upload their ID to use a search engine,” warning that the country could become a “beta test for a world where freedom and privacy quietly die… and it won’t stop there.”
The new requirements follow closely on the heels of Australia’s move to restrict access to social media platforms for users under 16, legislation that took effect on Dec. 10.
Ireland pushes for social media verification across the EU
The Irish government has announced plans to advocate for similar age-verification measures for social media users across Europe when it assumes the presidency of the EU Council in July 2026.
Under the proposed framework, anonymous social media accounts would be banned across the EU, and users would be required to verify their identities in order to post. Irish officials say the measures are aimed at combating hate speech and online disinformation, according to Irish news outlet Extra.ie.
Tánaiste Simon Harris, Ireland’s deputy prime minister, told the publication that Media Minister Patrick O’Donovan is expected to advance the proposal next year.
“We have a digital age of consent in Ireland, which is 16, but it’s simply not being enforced, and that’s a really important issue,” Harris said. “There is also a broader challenge — one that goes beyond Ireland — involving anonymous bots, which will require further work.”
The push comes amid heightened scrutiny of online speech in Ireland. In a recent case, a woman in Dublin received a six-month prison sentence for sending social media messages to the Irish leader that allegedly called him a murderer and wished harm on his family.
US pushes back over First Amendment concerns
Efforts in Australia and Europe to tighten regulations on social media platforms have prompted a strong response from the Trump administration.
US Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers accused regulators in the UK and the EU of attempting to censor US-based technology platforms and erode the free-speech protections guaranteed under the First Amendment.
“And cumulatively what all of these hostilities really announce is that Europe and the UK and other governments abroad are trying to nullify the American first amendment by enforcing against American companies and American speakers on American soil.”
In June, Ofcom — the UK’s communications regulator and competition authority — opened an investigation into the New York–based discussion forum 4chan, warning the platform it could face fines for alleged violations of the UK’s Online Safety Act 2023.
Meanwhile, some US lawmakers are considering more aggressive responses. Among them is the proposed Wyoming GRANITE Act, which would allow US individuals and companies to sue foreign governments that attempt to impose censorship or content-moderation requirements on them.
The US State Department has also escalated its response. On Dec. 23, it announced sanctions against five EU officials, accusing them of spearheading “organized efforts to coerce American platforms to censor, demonetize, and suppress American viewpoints they oppose.”
