Know the Law: December 10, 2025*
That is the date strict age-verification enforcement begins in Australia.
The Online Safety Amendment has passed. From this date, major platforms (like Instagram, TikTok, and X) must verify that Australian users are over 16.
⚠️What this means for adults
- May require: Scanning your Government ID (Driver's Licence/Passport).
- Undergo facial recognition scanning.
- Link your social accounts to your real-world identity.
*Information provided is for educational purposes based on the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024. Exact implementation dates and verification methods are subject to change by Australian regulators and third-party platforms.
What’s changing
More sites want your real name, real ID, and real location before they let you in.
- 🪪Age gates now request licence scans instead of simple checkboxes.
- 🔗Your documents flow through third-party verification companies.
- 🗺️Real-world identity and location get tied to every login request.
Why it matters
Do you want to upload your ID to 3rd-party companies that could get hacked?
It’s not just “age checks”. It’s about how much of your life is stored, tracked, and profiled online once copies of your ID start living on other people’s servers.
- Data breaches – your ID sitting on servers that can be hacked.
- Third-party companies you’ve never heard of holding your documents.
- Detailed profiles built on where you go and what you do online.
What you can do
Keep your browsing private, minimise what’s tied to your real ID, and stay in control of your digital footprint.
A privacy-focused VPN makes it harder for websites and companies to tie your activity back to your real-world identity.
- Hides your real IP address from the sites you visit.
- Encrypts your traffic so your internet provider can’t see exactly what you’re doing.
- Reduces how much data is linked to your real home connection.
Select a server outside of Australia (e.g., USA or UK) to browse as if you are in a region without mandatory ID checks.
Tap once, connect, and let it run in the background while you’re online.
Enjoy the sites and services you use, while keeping more of your identity to yourself.
For adults who don’t want to hand over their ID
Protect your ID now. Start your 7-day trial with a privacy-focused VPN.
If you’d rather not upload your licence to yet another company, you’re not alone. Many adults turn to VPNs to protect their privacy and keep their access.
- 🛡️Browse from a virtual location outside Australia.
- 🚀Encrypt your connection so no one sees your data—not even your ISP.
Quick answers
The questions people ask most.
Use these to sense-check your options before uploading sensitive ID documents online.
Is this about breaking the law?No. This site explains digital privacy options for adults. Always follow Australian laws.
Do I have to upload my ID to use the internet?Not for everything. But more sites and services are moving toward stricter verification. The less you spray your ID everywhere, the lower your risk.
Why would I use a VPN at all?To keep your location, activity and identity more private from trackers, internet providers, and data-hungry platforms, and to change your virtual location, which prevents websites from flagging you as a user who requires local ID verification.
Before the new rules kick in…
✔ Decide how comfortable you are uploading your ID to multiple companies.
✔ Set up tools (like a VPN) that reduce how much of your activity is tied to your real identity.
✔ Keep control of your access instead of reacting later.