It's CRUNCH TIME IN Australia & the UK. Rolling out EVERYWHERE very soon!

The Social Media ban for under 16 has commenced...and with it, the dreaded "age verification" measures I have been shouting off the rooftops about since April have arrived....FOR EVERYONE (not just the children)!

Australia’s under-16s social media ban begins

No more TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube or Twitch for a while.

Information AgeDavid Braue on Dec 10 2025 07:36 AM

Australia's (very bad) version of Benny Hill is celebrating on the morning of the ban coming into effect:

Australian Leaders and Legacy Media Celebrates Launch of Online Digital ID Age Verification Law

A crusade to shield kids online ends with an entire nation under surveillance.

Reclaim The NetChristina Maas

And now for a word from Australia's (US Born and dual citizen) Chief Censor and WEF Darling:

eKaren has managed to take HYPOCRISY to the next level and has almost made an art form out of that.

Australia’s Top Censor Warns of Surveillance While Hypocritically Expanding It

Julie Inman Grant warns of data predators while quietly building a system that feeds them.

Reclaim The NetChristina Maas

Legacy media join the 'celebrations'

This was the cover of the Sunday edition of the News Corp rag in my home state of Queensland on the last weekend before the legislation kicked in:

If you thought the above was pretty bad, that was merely a gentle warm-up.

Here is how the Sydney Harbour Bridge looked like on the evening of December 10 which was the day the legislation kicked in:

When was the last time you saw Australia’s most famous icon being decorated to commemorate the commencement of new legislation?

Let NO ONE have ANY doubts how TRULY important this move is for those who ACTUALLY call the shots (remembering that “Albo” is just a RETARD who can barely manage to read the lines he is given).

This is not the “vaccine” or mask mandates…this is the FINAL BATTLE. We lose this one and WWIII IS LOST!!

We've obviously seen this one before during the "vaccine rollout" with the mantra of "safe & effective" and "going back to normal".

Here's a quick reminder (with the obligatory trigger warning):

Rinse and Repeat

Below are two examples. I could very easily provide lots more.

Albo is claiming kids, parents and teachers think the social media ban is the best thing since sliced bread

The reality is quite different

Here is what those very same kids in that picture above Albo posted ACTUALLY told him:

They also trolled "Albo" on his official TikTok account once the ban kicked in to show that they could still access the platform:

The Federal Education Minister claims the ban will help prevent bullying

The reality is quite different

Australia’s social media ban won’t stop cyberbullying

A technical fix can’t solve a social problem.

The ConversationTama Leaver

A special webinar was held on Friday, December 5 to discuss the looming ban and its potential implications:

You will find the full recording below:

Here is the list of resources discussed:

Resist Digital ID Panel Presentation Link and Resources

A joint AMPS and AusExitsWHO initiative

Debra’s SubstackDebra Yuille

One part I want to specifically highlight is this short segment from cybersecurity professional Ben Britton:

This is a good article to compliment what Ben is saying in the video above:

VPNs won’t save teens from social media ban

Big Tech can identify young Aussies using the workaround.

Information AgeLeonard Bernardone on Dec 11 2025 01:00 PM

What ACTUALLY happened once the ban kicked in?

Let's start with this from Ben himself:

Many (if not most) of the people who have a blue checkmark on Twitter 2.0/X have already undergone ID verification (either through Israeli company Au10Tix or Stripe Identity) and yet, here is one example of someone in Australia who had to go through a "papers please" process despite doing the ID verification process previously.

What did SUBSTACK do?

To start with, I want to make it clear that Substack was NOT "designated" yet by Australia's eSafety office as a "covered platform" under the ban!

They have chosen to VOLUNTARILY roll over!

On Thursday, December 11, a day after the legislation kicked in, I was contacted through the chat widget on this website by an Australian reader of my (now discontinued) Substack publication:

Nathan also said that he did try to circumvent the age verification process, which is carried out on behalf of Substack by a private US-based company called Persona) but was unsuccessful.

Persona was founded in 2018 and it's single biggest investor is THIS GUY:

Probably nothing, right? 😉

I personally would not have even tried on principle....although am fairly confident I could indeed circumvent it if I wanted to (and you could as well if you listen to what Ben Britton is saying in the clip above).

Later that evening Australian independent Podcaster and commentator Robyn from Courage is the cure posted the following Livestream on her Twitter account:

I then saw several Substack notes such as these from people in the UK:

I personally have seen enough at this point:

I also unleashed my frustration on Substack's 'leadership' and let me tell you it felt BLOODY GOOD! I needed that catharsis!

I don't expect my Substack account to have much longevity after this...but I couldn't care less!

It wasn't just government lackies, legacy media and other imbeciles in Australia who celebrated.

There was also this specimen from the US of A:

Unfortunately, he is not wrong at all with the last part of his tweet:

Countries around the world will follow. Let them be kids, a little while longer.

He is a Psychologist apparently:

While the moron above can't do much damage for now, this next guy can given he is the current Prime Minister of New Zealand:

And this 'lovely' lady is his attorney-general which interestingly also means she is the minister in-charge of NZ's spook shop:

Meanwhile elsewhere:

UK Lawmakers Propose Mandatory On-Device Surveillance and VPN Age Verification

The UK flirts with an extreme future where every device is surveilled.

Reclaim The NetCindy Harper

Digital IDs and AI Dreams: How Canada and Europe Plan to Sync the Future

As Europe and Canada link their digital identity and AI systems, the line between secure connectivity and centralized oversight grows increasingly thin.

Reclaim The NetKen Macon

Quebec committee recommends restricting social media accounts for youth under 14 | Globalnews.ca

The recommendation was in the final report of the all-party committee studying the impact of screen time on young people’s health.

Global NewsThe Canadian Press

Macron’s Mission to Muzzle the Internet

A president once enamored with disruption now dreams of an internet that obeys his censorship demands.

Reclaim The NetCindy Harper

All the states and countries that have age-verification laws (so far)

This list will likely grow longer.

MashableAnna Iovine

This is a good summary to end this section with:

And what Robyn is saying here is SPOT ON!

And so is George:

After all, Australia is THE (new) "Official Testing Ground of the New World Order" having taken the 'title' from Israel which is well and truly cooked now.

This is my position which I have shared previously. It remains unflinching and unwavering which is why I have now left Substack:

Now let's get into a bit more detail as well as how this looks in practical terms...especially in the context of Substack which is what was most jarring for me.

If they do the right thing (or at least try to)

You can give them the benefit of the doubt and keep your account.

One such example is Reddit, which has been formally "designated" by eKaren but does appear to at least try and mount some resistance (through their not insignificant resources) :

Reddit Fights Australia’s New Online ID Law

Reddit’s challenge sets up a major test of Australia’s plan to verify every user’s age online.

Reclaim The NetDan Frieth

A representative of the Australian branch of the regime responded as follows:

Not sure how this will play out but I am not optimistic given my trust in Australia's 'legal' system is less than zero at this point.

I've already made my decision (because I am an "extremist" apparently) but you can choose to wait it out and see how this legal stoush between Reddit and the Australian branch of the regime plays out.

Reddit says it’s not a social media platform. Australia’s High Court is unlikely to agree

As Australia’s teen social media ban comes into force, its scope will be tested in court.

The ConversationLuke Beck

If they don't do the right thing...UNLEASH HELL!

For the avoidance of doubt, by "doing the right thing" I mean the following:

REFUSE to comply with any "age verification" mandates....NO MATTER THE CONSEQUENCES!

All the platforms which have already been "designated" by eKaren's office have rolled over with the exception of Reddit (who are also complying while the matter is before the court).

Therefore my call to "abandon them" applies!

But one platform is a special case as far as I'm concerned....and requires a slightly different approach due to its business model.

This platform is called Substack

As already mentioned above, Substack have chosen to simply roll over on their own accord without being formally "designated" in Australia or told to comply by the regime's UK branch.

The warning signs were there since late October when Substack published the following (and kept the comments turned off in what is an unusual move for them):

Our position on the Online Safety Act

Here’s how we’re complying with the U.K. and Australia’s new regulatory measures

On SubstackOn Substack

Notice how they say in the above post:

Here's how we're complying

It was evident to everyone (or at least should have been...myself absolutely included!) that this American company with NO offices in either the UK or Australia was planning to roll over without a fight.

As I said, the warning signs were there for all to see.

Another HUGE warning sign came from this personal exchange I had with Substack's co-founder and "Chief Writing Officer" Hamish McKenzie.

Hamish McKenzie (@hamish)

Notes is a growth engine that helps you get subscribers, which you can then export. Smart notifications is opt-in and lets people receive your posts in their preferred way. They can revert any time they want and you still have their email address regardless. Unfortunately, we have to comply with various countries’ regulations to be able to operate there, which in some cases is undesirable but better than the alternative. In all cases, to whatever extent possible, we protect writer and consumer freedoms to the maximum extent.

SubstackHamish McKenzie

Once it was obvious what Substack were doing, I posted this reply to his note:

I stand behind EVERY single word I say in there...and let me tell you that it also felt bloody good posting this...even if it gets me booted entirely from the platform (which is totally fine with me)!

December 10 arrived and my worst concerns about Substack all came true...and then some!

This is my final note EVER on Substack:

Michael Ginsburg (@michaelginsburg)

The people who run this platform (at least at the public facing level) have spoken! Their position is CRYSTAL CLEAR and now they have clearly made substantial steps towards implementing it. I have also made my position CRYSTAL CLEAR and it is unwavering, unflinching, uncompromising and NOT open to any negotiations or debate. THIS IS THE FINAL NOTE I PUBLISH ON SUBSTACK. Furthermore, there will be NO further Livestreams and obviously NO further content of ANY kind published on my Substack. Existing content will be DELETED as the final tweaks are completed on the content that has been copied across to my own website. My time on this platform has now come to an END! If you want to keep hearing from me, it is time to get off the fence and sign-up to my (non-substack) mailing list: https://sendfox.com/actionabletruth Michael Ginsburg…OVER & OUT! https://substack.com/@hamish/note/c-183261226 https://actionabletruth.media/the-next-stage-for-actionable-truth/

SubstackMichael Ginsburg

I personally will NEVER forgive them for this move even if they backtrack and even if they beg for forgiveness.

If that wasn't enough for you already to see red when it comes to Substack:

Instead, I am now embarking on a personal mission of vendetta to DESTROY SUBSTACK by weaponising its business model of revenue share against it...and this is where I'd love you to join in!

How does "weaponising its business model of revenue share" looks in practical terms?

Like THIS, EXACTLY this:

Why I am shutting off paid subscriptions on this Substack.

After nearly 35 years of fighting against censorship, I am not about to give in to the machine at this late date!

Informed ChoiceMeryl Dorey

It's important to understand that Substack's business model is different than most other major social media platforms.

Instead of showing targeted ads to their users (which looks like they will also start doing very soon), or charging them a subscription for 'premium' features like what X, Rumble, YouTube and LinkedIn do, they make most of their money (At least prima facie. I suspect they also do provide some content to train AI and do other 'casual' data harvesting but have no definitive proof of either as of yet) from taking a 10% cut of every dollar spent on paid subscriptions to publications on the platform.

If you understand that, the effectiveness of the strategy implemented by Meryl Dorey becomes self-evident.

A way to take this one step further is described in the Substack post below:

I’m Out

Bush Food Forager is now permanently closed.

Bush Food ForagerJ.P.

Specifically:

Substack can get stuffed. I’m taking my money with me too by cancelling all my existing subscriptions.

Can you see why this is extremely effective in the context of Substack's current business model which relies almost exclusively on "revenue share"?

I have implemented the same approach for my own paid subscriptions and have notified the authors of the Substacks I pay for that I will be cancelling my paid subscription if they choose to keep Substack as the only place they publish their content...but will be happy to continue supporting them if they move elsewhere or at least run their paid offering exclusively through other avenues so that Substack doesn't get 10 cents of every dollar I (and others) spend.

To me this is non-negotiable and there will be NO EXCEPTIONS!

Others have chosen to simply pack up and leave like this lady:

The End of Abi Daily

Censorship and Digital ID has no place in a free society

ABI DAILYAbi Roberts

I have taken the same approach:

Here is a little hack if you currently have a substack with paid subscriptions which you would like to keep but don't want Substack to get their 10% cut:

This only works if you do NOT currently have any content behind a paywall and your paid subscriptions act primarily (if not exclusively) as a way for your readership to show their appreciation for your work.

If this applies to you, you can do the following right now:

1. Notify your paying subscribers that you don't want to share their payments with Substack any longer due to their stance but would really like to keep their support through keeping their paid subscriptions.
2. Advise them that nothing will change from their end.
3. Get your Stripe account disconnected from Substack BUT make sure it is done the right way. If you do it the wrong way, you could end up being out of pocket.

The process described in this Substack support document is the WRONG WAY except for the last paragraph:

If you're moving to a new platform and need help disconnecting Stripe, visit the support widget and ask for a human support specialist.

The above is the ONLY RIGHT WAY but there is a little bit of a shortcut there as well:

While Substack are telling you to "visit the support widget and ask for a human support specialist", this can be a time consuming and even painful experience.

Instead, you need to simply email the following address from the same email address associated with the Substack account linked to your Substack publication:

support+payments-disconnect@substack.com

Emailing the above address directly will get you straight to a human and bypass the "support widget" and its AI nonsense.

Simply email to that address, put "Please disconnect Substack from my Stripe account" in the subject line and state which publication this applies to in the body of the email, if you have more than one.

That's it!

Once Substack does that, your existing recurring subscriptions remain unchanged and you will be able to see all of them in your Stripe account under "subscriptions":

This gets very handy if you later decide to switch from Substack to Ghost because all the paying subscribers you had on Substack will be transferred across seamlessly to your Ghost website provided you:

1. Connect the same Stripe account to Ghost; and
2. Export the list of active subscriptions from your Stripe account and then import it as members in Ghost

The "default" columns should be enough but you can also choose to export "all" columns. Either way, the two most important fields to include in the export are:

1. Customer ID (this one is CRUCIAL); and
2. Customer email

Provided you do that, the paid subscriptions will carry over seamlessly into Ghost and I am speaking from personal experience.

We Accidentally Slipped Into a 1984-Style Dystopia. It’s Time to Pull Ourselves Out.

A world of quiet and constant surveillance has quietly arrived.

NBTV NewsletterNBTV Media