Australia's internet regulator is threatening to crack down on app stores and search engines if they fail to restrict children's access to artificial intelligence services, marking one of the globe's most aggressive efforts to rein in the technology.
The eSafety Commissioner warned it may push these "gatekeeper services" to block AI tools that do not verify user ages, following a review that found more than half of the top 50 AI products had not publicly outlined compliance steps ahead of a deadline next week.
From March 9, AI services—including OpenAI's ChatGPT—must prevent users under 18 from accessing pornography, extreme violence, or self-harm content, or face fines of up to $49.5 million.
"eSafety will use the full range of our powers where there is non-compliance," a spokesperson stated, including action against "gatekeeper services such as search engines and app stores that provide key points of access to particular services."
Lisa Given, director of RMIT University's Centre for Human-AI Information Environments, noted, "most of these tools are being designed without a view to potential harms and the need for those kinds of safety controls."
While major platforms like ChatGPT have begun implementing age assurance, regulators remain concerned about the impact of chatbots on youth mental health, citing reports of children engaging with tools for up to six hours daily.