What we tested
We visited each platform from an Aussie IP on April 1, 2026, and documented exactly what appeared before we could access the site. No VPN, no browser tricks, just a direct visit from an Aussie IP.
Age gate comparison: April 2026
| Platform | What you see | Clicks required | OSA compliant? |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOI | Nothing, site loads directly | 0 | No |
| Secrets.ai | Modal with "I am 18+" button | 1 | No |
| Candy.ai | Modal with "I am 18+" button | 1 | No |
| Promptchan | Modal with "I am 18+" button | 1 | No |
| Xotic AI | ToS text block (scroll required) + checkbox + button | 2 + scroll | No |
| DarLink AI | Modal with "I am 18+" button | 1 | No |
The types of age gate explained
No gate (JOI)
JOI loads directly with no age verification at all. The landing page is just there. Of the six platforms we checked, JOI has the most friction-free experience for Australian users, and also the weakest compliance position under the Online Safety Act.
Button-only self-declaration (Secrets.ai, Candy.ai, Promptchan, DarLink AI)
A modal pops up when you land on the site with a button along the lines of "I confirm I am 18 or older." Click it, modal disappears, full site loads. Takes about two seconds and requires zero information from you.
This is non-compliant with the Online Safety Act because nothing is actually being verified. Anyone can click the button. The Act explicitly calls out self-declaration as insufficient.
Self-declaration + ToS scroll (Xotic AI)
Xotic AI adds a step: the modal has a full Terms of Service block you have to scroll to the bottom of before a checkbox and button unlock. Scroll, check, click, done.
Still non-compliant, still self-declaration. But it does filter out people who can't be bothered, which is something, I suppose.
What would compliant age verification look like?
The Online Safety Act wants verification that actually confirms someone is an adult. That means one of:
- Credit card check, a valid card as a proxy for adult status (most cards require 18+)
- ID document upload, driver's licence, passport, that sort of thing
- Third-party verification service, something like AgeID or Yoti that ties back to official records
None of the six platforms we tested have done any of this. That may shift as eSafety starts enforcement in earnest. See our Online Safety Act guide for what's actually coming.
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