Australia enforces search ID age checks as Ireland seeks EU-wide ban on anonymous accounts

Australia's eSafety Commissioner brought new rules into force on Dec. 27 requiring search engines to verify user ages and apply strict filters for minors, with six months allowed for full rollout. Ireland plans to use its EU Council presidency in July 2026 to push ID-based social media verification and a ban on anonymous accounts, while US officials promote measures like the GRANITE Act and sanctions on EU regulators over alleged censorship of American platforms.