Australia Threatens to Remove ChatGPT Cs from the App Store If Age Verification is Not Implemented

JAKARTA - The Australian government is reportedly ready to take firm action against artificial intelligence (AI) applications that do not have an age verification system. If this new rule is enforced, Apple could be forced to remove a number of AI applications from the App Store in the Australian region.

Australian regulators are targeting AI apps that allow users under 18 to access adult content, extreme violence, self-harm, and eating disorders without adequate age-checking mechanisms.

According to a Reuters report, app stores that do not remove violating AI apps by March 9 could be fined up to $35 million (Rp590 billion). Representatives from the Australian eSafety Commissioner's office said the regulator would use "all the powers it has" if there is non-compliance.

The move includes action against "gatekeeper" services such as search engines and app stores that are the main gateway to digital services. This means that Apple will likely have to remove AI apps that do not have a decent age verification system to prevent minors from accessing harmful content.

In addition to content issues, eSafety also highlights the excessive use of AI chatbots by children. Regulators say there are 10-year-old children in Australia who spend up to six hours per day talking to AI software.

Australian regulators even claimed that "AI companies are exploiting emotional manipulation, anthropomorphism, and other sophisticated techniques to entice and get young people hooked on excessive use of chatbots."

However, not all AI applications have complied with the age verification provisions. Of the 50 AI platforms surveyed, only nine have implemented age verification measures as required.

A total of 11 other AI applications implement comprehensive content filters. This includes a number of popular chatbots such as OpenAI through its ChatGPT application, then Replika, and Anthropic through Claude.

Meanwhile, Character.AI limits open chat only to users aged 18 and over. HammerAI even blocks user access from Australia completely.

Several other apps reportedly don't have a functioning age-filtering system, and some don't even provide an email address to report violations.

Grok, owned by an AI company affiliated with Elon Musk, has implemented prevention of the creation of pornographic content involving minors, but only in regions that legally require it.

In the Australian App Store alone, the age rating for these apps varies. Character.AI has an 18+ rating, Grok 16+, while ChatGPT is listed at 13+. The difference in ratings is considered inconsistent in its implementation and supervision, and could be a spotlight for regulators.

Apple has previously improved its age assurance tools for developers to comply with the social media ban policy for teenagers in Australia. However, the threat of a fine remains open if regulators assess that the move is not enough.

If this rule is really enforced, Australia could become one of the first countries to force global app stores such as Apple to act more aggressively against AI apps for the protection of minors.