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Face Scanners Could Soon Be Used To Verify Australian Porn Users

Face Scanners Could Soon Be Used To Verify Australian Porn Users

It'd be used to stop under 18 year olds from accessing adult sites

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

As 'your mate' will undoubtedly know, there are security systems on pornography sites to prove you're of the legal age to view adult content. But how tight are those systems?

Some sites will ask you to click a button that says you're over 18, whereas others could ask you to input your date of birth to prove your age. Basically, there's not a hell of a lot standing in the way of under-18s who wish to access porn.

However, that could all change in Australia as lawmakers are considering installing a face-scanning system to prove you're of age.

via GIPHY

The Department of Home Affairs says technology could be employed to use the face scan to check it with another photo on its database, such as the photo found on a driver's license.

The department has written to a parliamentary committee looking into the idea, adding: "This could assist in age verification, for example by preventing a minor from using their parent's driver licence to circumvent age verification controls."

The technology could also be used to stop certain people from accessing online gambling sites, according to AAP.

Meanwhile, the UK government recently scrapped plans to introduce age restriction checks on all porn sites.

PA

The proposed plans would have meant that no one would be able to watch adult content online without prior age verification checks - using a legitimate form of identification such as a credit card, driving licence or passport.

Initially, the ban was due to come into effect on 15 July, but the block was delayed in June after an 'important notification process was not undertaken' for an element of the policy.

However, now the government has said that the ban has been scrapped altogether, with Nicky Morgan - UK Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport - confirming earlier this month that the plans would 'not be commencing'.

In a written statement to Parliament, Morgan said the government would instead be channelling its efforts into its new 'online harms' regulation, with hopes that this will efficiently address issues caused by children accessing pornographic websites.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: News, Australia