Australia Enforces Age ID Checks for Search Engine Users (opens in new tab)

I have a feeling that I am going to soon become an old curmudgeon who tells stories of the good old days of the Internet to their kids and grandkids.

Aussie here. Using Safari/iOS with an ad-blocker, tested un-logged-in Google, Bing and DDG. Search was “naked women porn”. Only Bing asked via a pop-up whether I was over 18, with options “Agree” or “Disagree”. No other inputs required.

One piece of anecdata. Not particularly scientific. TBH the submitter (or anyone else) can use a VPN with an Australian exit node to test this for themselves.

Why Australia has those weird, draconian laws invented on the spot: Australians don't seem like authoritarian "need to know" crowd, yet there is no major opposition to this absurd change. Whats next, internet passports?

if it keeps on going like this, people will be forced to find other people who want to take there clothes off!

More private BBS networks and hosts...

the government can already subpoena private companies for records of an account's search history, what's the spook value add of tying them to pii? this is like a one-two punch, first social media now search engines - stunning to witness freedom crumpled with such ease. also fuck need to setup a vpn to keep using google drive/gmail for work