Social media giants forced to implement age verification

Rollout begins under Online Safety Act with civil liberties groups raising alarm. That, at least, is the headline. The reality, as ever, is more textured — and our reporting today suggests the story will run for some weeks yet.

Officials briefed on the matter describe a process that has been months in the making. Drafts circulated late last year set out the broad shape; the past fortnight has been spent fighting over the detail, and it is the detail that will decide who wins and who loses.