Australia has decided not to require age verification software for adult sites, according to the federal government’s roadmap for age verification for online pornographic material. Instead, eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant will collaborate with industry leaders to develop a code aimed at educating parents on using filtering software to limit the kind of content minors can access. The government cited concerns over privacy, security, effectiveness, and implementation as reasons for not mandating age verification technology.
The decision not to require age verification software stemmed from the government’s recognition that different websites have varying capabilities and resources. While larger sites like Pornhub might have the means to support such technology, smaller, local creators might struggle to do so. The government’s response acknowledged this discrepancy, stating, “What constitutes appropriate steps for one provider might create an undue burden for another.” As an alternative, the government plans to launch an independent statutory review of the Online Safety Act in 2024 and explore the UK’s approach to age assurance as a potential model for future actions. Additionally, the government acknowledged the need for comprehensive sex education and allocated $83.5 million to support age-appropriate, evidence-based programs.
In a related development, the importance of clean code in ensuring safer software has been emphasized by the Biden administration in its National Cybersecurity Strategy. The strategy highlights the need for software companies to take greater responsibility for vulnerabilities in their products, rather than shifting the burden onto consumers. The EU’s Cyber Resilience Act also calls for more liability to be placed on software vendors, making secure software development a priority. Clean Code, which emphasizes collaboration between developers, is seen as a approach that can help identify and address potential vulnerabilities early in the development process, thus enhancing the reliability and safety of software.
Meanwhile, UK officials have issued a report recommending that the government accelerate the implementation of legislation regulating the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The interim report from the UK House of Commons Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee identifies twelve challenges that need to be addressed in order to develop an effective AI framework. These challenges include issues such as bias and misrepresentation, privacy concerns, reliance on large datasets and significant computing power, and a lack of transparency. To promote international understanding of AI, the report suggests the establishment of a forum of countries with similar democratic foundations to defend against cyber threats.
In other news, Wendy Noble has been selected as the new Deputy Director of the US National Security Agency (NSA). Noble, who previously held a senior position at the Department of Defense with a focus on international partnerships, will replace George Barnes as Deputy Director. Current NSA director General Paul Nakasone expressed confidence in Noble’s ability to lead the agency, stating that she has consistently made outstanding contributions and displayed dedication to the mission.
Overall, these developments highlight the ongoing challenges and efforts in areas such as age verification for adult sites, clean code in software development, AI regulation, and leadership changes within intelligence agencies. As technology continues to evolve, governments and organizations must adapt to ensure the safety, security, and ethical use of these advancements.