Protect Your Privacy

You can comply with age verification and still protect your data. Here's how.

The problem

Age verification creates a new data trail between your identity and the platforms you use. Even if the system works as intended, you're handing personal information to companies you may know nothing about.

The goal isn't to avoid verification — it's to minimise the data you expose and reduce the risk if that data is ever breached.

1

Choose the least invasive verification method

When a platform gives you a choice, pick the method that shares the least data. In order of preference:

  1. Digital identity wallet — shares only a yes/no age confirmation
  2. Facial age estimation — sends a selfie to estimate age, reportedly not stored
  3. Credit card check — confirms you're 18+ via a valid card
  4. Government ID upload — shares the most data, use only as a last resort

See the full comparison of methods →

2

Use a VPN for general browsing privacy

A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and masks your IP address. This prevents your internet provider from seeing which sites you visit, and prevents sites from knowing your exact location.

VPNs are legal in Australia. Downloads of VPN apps surged when these laws took effect — three VPN apps were in the top 15 most downloaded free apps on the Australian App Store on March 9, 2026.

A good VPN costs less than a coffee per month and works across all your devices.

Read the full VPN guide →

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3

Use a password manager

If you're creating accounts or entering credentials for age verification, use a password manager to generate unique passwords for each service. This limits the damage if any single verification provider is breached.

Good options include 1Password, Bitwarden (free), or Apple's built-in Passwords app.

4

Use a separate email for verification

Don't use your primary email for age verification sign-ups. Create a separate email address that you use only for verification purposes. This keeps your main identity separated from your verification trail.

ProtonMail or Tutanota offer free encrypted email accounts.

5

Read the verification privacy policy

When a platform directs you to a third-party verification provider, read that provider's privacy policy — not just the platform's. Look for:

  • How long they retain your data
  • Whether they share it with anyone else
  • Where the data is stored (ideally Australia or the EU)
  • How to request deletion of your data after verification
6

Keep your devices updated

If you're using facial age estimation, make sure your device's operating system and browser are up to date. Security patches help protect the biometric data captured during the verification process.

Want to understand VPNs better?

We've written a plain-English guide explaining what a VPN does, how to choose one, and what to look for.

Read the VPN guide →

This guide is for educational purposes. We support the protection of minors online. This guide helps adults understand how to comply with verification requirements while protecting their personal information.