[JeremyStinson]

Just so it's clear - this new law will require everyone over 16 to provide proof-of-age, and thus identity, to use the most popular portions of the internet. Saving the children is the voter-acceptable way of getting it past public scrutiny, and paves the way for a national DigitalID that will be required by all citizens.

[underwater]

Where does the legislation say that? My reading is that it specifically says that social networks have to provide an alternative verification mechanism that doesn’t rely on government ID.

[JeremyStinson]

That's the outcome of the law.

Think of it this way - how will YOU, specifically, prove you are actually over the age of 16 without having some proof of age object that is tied to your device(s) or usage patterns?

If a 15 year old will have to prove they're 16 to use a service, so will a 35 year old. It's not just the kids proving their age.

[bongodongobob]

So a burner email account? How do you think this is going to work?

[neumann]

Can you elaborate what you mean? We already need identity for ISP access and mobile phones, no?

[JeremyStinson]

Only for activation of a service, which has nothing to do with the actual user. Purchase a phone using cash from any store selling mobile phones, and then use free WiFi (however insecure that may be) anywhere you can find it. If you want mobile data, get someone to register a prepaid SIM card, then add money to it using a prepaid debit card from AusPost, which you don't need ID to do.