Australia is poised to compel Apple to remove AI applications from the App Store that fail to implement robust age-verification measures. Regulators target apps enabling minors under 18 to access adult content, extreme violence, self-harm, or eating disorder material. While Apple has already upgraded its age-assurance tools to comply with existing social media bans for teens, further action is anticipated.

App marketplaces face potential fines of up to $35 million for non-compliance by March 9th, as regulators vow to use 'the full range of their powers.' This includes action against 'gatekeeper services' like app stores that provide key access points to services. Concerns extend to prolonged AI chatbot use by children, with some Australian ten-year-olds spending up to six hours daily in conversations, raising alarms about emotional manipulation and excessive usage. Despite efforts, only nine out of fifty surveyed AI platforms had implemented necessary age-verification systems, highlighting widespread non-compliance.