Will search engines usher in the "Age Verification Era"? New regulatory actions in Australia and the UK spark industry reflections

The trend of internet content regulation has shifted again. Australia took the lead, with the new regulations from the Electronic Safety Commissioner officially taking effect on December 27, clearly requiring search engines like Google to deploy user age verification mechanisms and conduct precise reviews of inappropriate content. This gives companies a six-month adaptation period.

This wave of regulation is spreading to Europe. The Irish government announced a more aggressive plan—taking advantage of Ireland’s role as the EU Council President in July 2026—to promote social media age verification policies across the entire EU, while also suggesting a ban on fully anonymous accounts. The goal of this combined approach is clear: to combat the proliferation of online hate speech and the spread of false information.

From Australia’s search engine age verification to Ireland’s push for EU-wide social media real-name policies, the regulatory approaches in both regions share a common theme—they are attempting to use identity verification to address online ecosystem issues. However, implementing these measures is not without challenges. How can search engines verify user age without infringing on privacy? What are the technical solutions and cost capacities for companies? These questions still require industry answers.

It is foreseeable that this is not an isolated case. More and more countries and regions are contemplating how to balance protecting minors with maintaining online order. The days of search engines and social media platforms being increasingly “restricted” may become the new normal for the internet industry in 2026 and beyond.