US EditionAustralia says it may go after app stores, search engines in AI age crackdown
Australia's eSafety warns AI providers and app stores to enforce age checks or face fines up to A$49.5 million for exposing under-18s to harmful content, with many yet to comply.
- Next week, eSafety warned it may push search engines and app stores to block AI services that fail age verification after a Reuters review found many had not shown compliance steps.
- After the Reuters review, eSafety highlighted concerns about AI using emotional manipulation and noted children as young as 10 using chatbots for up to six hours daily.
- Of the 50 most popular text-based AI products, nine had age-assurance plans, 11 planned blanket filters blocking Australians, and Apple said last week it would use “reasonable methods” to restrict minors from 18+ apps.
- ESafety said it will use the full range of its powers, including action against gatekeeper services such as search engines and app stores, with fines up to $35 million for failing to restrict under-18s.
- Amid growing global scrutiny, eSafety warns it may push app stores and search engines to block AI that lacks age verification, as investigations into Elon Musk’s Grok highlight ongoing probes into AI harms.
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Exclusive: Australia says it may go after app stores, search engines in AI age crackdown
Australia's internet regulator said it may push search engines and app stores to block artificial intelligence services that fail to verify user ages after a Reuters review found more than half had not made public any steps to comply by a deadline next week.
Firstpost News
The Straits TimesAustralia says it may go after app stores, search engines in AI age crackdown
Australia in December became the first country to ban social media for teenagers, citing mental health concerns, prompting an outpouring of world leaders saying they would do the same. The country now says it is spearheading a similar crackdown on AI by putting age restrictions on the content people can access with the technology.
Australia Considers Blocking Non-Compliant AI Services
Australia’s internet regulator is considering action against search engines and app stores that provide access to artificial intelligence services failing to verify user ages. This move comes as more than half of surveyed AI services have not publicly outlined compliance steps ahead of an upcoming deadline. Credit: UNSPLASH The warning signals one of the most assertive global efforts to regulate AI companies, which are facing increasing lawsuits…
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