Experts Raise Concerns Over Snapchat’s Age Verification Methods Ahead of Australia’s …

Cybersecurity experts have raised significant concerns regarding the age verification methods proposed by Snapchat as part of Australia’s upcoming ban on social media access for those under 16. Effective December 10, ten platforms, including Snapchat, will be restricted for users below this age threshold. Current estimates suggest that Snapchat has around 440,000 Australian users aged 13 to 15, making it the most impacted service by the new regulations. The app plans to implement three verification methods for Australians to demonstrate their age: using ConnectID from Australian Payments Plus to link to bank accounts, employing the Singapore-based k-ID software that estimates age via selfies, or submitting government-issued identification. However, experts are critical of these approaches, citing multiple issues related to data security and privacy. Sherif Haggag, a cybersecurity and ethical hacking expert at Adelaide University, points out a major flaw: the data collected through the age verification process is likely to leave Australia, especially with the use of k-ID. Haggag emphasizes that once this information, which may include sensitive data like selfies and passports, exits Australian jurisdiction, it becomes difficult to enforce privacy regulations. A spokesperson for the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner affirmed that the Privacy Act extends to
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