Australian Regulators Trial Bank ID Software for Age Verification on Social Media

Australian regulators are testing ConnectID, a bank-owned identity verification system, to enforce age restrictions on social media platforms. Originally designed for secure customer authentication, the tool now partners with Singapore-based k-ID, which uses facial analysis for age estimation. The collaboration marks a significant shift in regulatory strategy, potentially positioning banks as key players in digital compliance.

Financial institutions face scrutiny over their involvement in non-traditional operations like age verification. ConnectID defends the initiative as a natural extension of its identity services, citing two years of development with major partners. "Age assurance and social media represent an inflection point for digital identity," says Andrew Black, ConnectID's managing director.

The pilot program, watched globally, could set precedents for financial sector involvement in digital regulation. While participating social media companies remain unnamed, the initiative follows k-ID's existing work with Discord to restrict adult content access.