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The issue is that if you don’t prove your age, access is blocked.

So it’s not optional. At least in Australia.

It's entirely optional within Australia - I don't use Apple, nor do my kids or their kids.

If a website/app requests you to prove your age, you can’t optionally avoid it and continue to use the website/app.

Hasn't happened in any meaningful way yet, so I'll deal with that if and when it happens.