Australian Search Engines May Block Unverified Adult Sites

New code may soon block adult sites in Australia without age verification, sparking debate on digital safety and access.

Australian authorities are cracking down on adult and gambling content, with a new code potentially blocking sites that don’t verify user ages by 2025. The move, part of Australia’s latest digital safety initiative, aims to protect young users by enforcing mandatory age checks on sites with explicit material. 

Dr. Jennifer Duxbury, Digi’s director for policy, regulatory affairs, and research, explained that the code “covers the entire digital ecosystem,” meaning non-compliant sites might disappear from search engines and social media in Australia.

“You’ve got these layers of protection built into these codes, which don’t exist in other jurisdictions as I understand it.” 

Age Verification: More Than Just a Checkbox

If adult sites and gambling platforms don’t take user age verification seriously, they could be effectively erased from Australian search engines and social media. As outlined in the draft code released Tuesday, non-compliant sites would lose visibility, making it difficult for users in Australia to find or link to them. The plan would extend beyond adult websites, targeting social media, video games, app developers, and even internet service providers to enforce a safer digital ecosystem.

For adult sites, the draft code poses a clear ultimatum: adopt age verification or face restrictions in Australia. Starting in 2025, companies will need to prove they are keeping minors away from adult content or risk being blocked by search engines. This step follows similar measures taken by the United Kingdom, where age assurance rules are also in development.

The new age verification requirements leave some flexibility in how sites can comply. Options include asking users for photo ID, using facial age estimation technology, requesting a credit card check, implementing digital ID wallets, or allowing attestation from a parent or guardian. However, basic age declarations like typing a birthdate or clicking an “I’m over 18” box will no longer be sufficient.

Impact on Adult Sites and Past Filtering Efforts

The proposed code casts a wide net over digital content in Australia. It’s not just adult websites that will feel the impact, but social media sites and online platforms that share or link to adult material. With the rules affecting nearly every corner of the internet, including gaming companies, app developers, and internet service providers, compliance could become complex and costly.

Pornhub’s past response to age verification policies in other regions offers a hint at how the adult industry might react to Australia’s new rules. In 2023, Pornhub restricted access to users in certain U.S. states with similar requirements, citing the challenges of age verification technology and user privacy concerns. If Australia’s code proves too restrictive, it’s possible some adult sites could follow suit, either by blocking Australian users entirely or withdrawing from the market.

Dr. Duxbury adds a dose of realism to the situation, saying: 

“We don’t speak for the porn industry, and I can’t predict what their reaction might be, whether they would withdraw from the market, or what’s the likely outcome.” 

A Step Towards Safer Browsing

The move reflects a long-running debate over internet filtering in Australia. Back in the Rudd-Gillard administration, there was a push to introduce a mandatory internet filter, while the Coalition government’s earlier proposal required users to opt out of filtering services. 

This draft code takes a different approach: while it doesn’t demand outright blocking, it allows search engines and social media to restrict visibility for sites that don’t comply. Internet service providers won’t be forced to block non-compliant sites outright but will have to offer optional filtering for customers who request it.

With this draft code on the horizon, Australia could become a leader in age verification. As we wait to see if this code becomes law, many are left wondering how this will impact their browsing experiences and what it means for digital freedom in the country. Will the adult industry bow to these new demands, or will some sites choose to pull out rather than comply?

For now, Australians can only sit tight and wait to see if 2025 marks a major shift in how they access online content. One thing’s for sure: Australia is not backing down on protecting young audiences, and the digital landscape is about to face a big shake-up.