Omoggle, an anonymous chatting platform that pairs random users and scores their faces on attractiveness using AI, is putting Australian children at risk despite claiming to be restricted to users over 18. The platform uses the PSL scale (perceived sexual market value) to analyze faces based on symmetry, averageness, facial harmony, and skin quality.
Cyber Safety Experts Sound Alarm
Cyber safety expert Susan McLean described the platform as dangerous. "It's not harmless fun, it's dangerous and kids are at extreme risk when they use it," she said. "That is just so awful for young people, who are struggling with their self-esteem as it is, to be on a platform like this, just to see where they might come in a ranking scale."
Popularity Among Streamers and Youth
Omoggle gained traction after major streaming personalities like xQc, Jason TheWeen, and IShowSpeed shared their experiences with millions of followers. Its name is a play on the now-defunct Omegele, a roulette-style chat platform shut down in November 2023 due to safety issues. The eSafety commissioner previously stated that Omegele was "being used by paedophiles to groom and abuse children," with no measures to prevent child-adult interactions.
Blocked in Australia but Still Accessible
As of June 10, Omoggle has been blocked in Australia, with its creators citing Australia's social media ban for under 16s as the reason. However, McLean compared such sites to a "whack-a-mole; whack one down, one pops up." The term "mog" or "mogging" originates from internet culture, meaning to look or act better than another, popularized by the "looksmaxxing" movement that emphasizes physical beauty, particularly among young males.
No Age Verification in Place
A test of the platform revealed that while it asks users to confirm whether they are over or under 18, there is no legitimate verification system. One click grants access to the over-18 "arena." Within 20 minutes, numerous users clearly under 18 were encountered, some in school uniforms. One user inappropriately asked, "can I eat your p****?"
Regulatory Challenges
McLean noted that because no one "owns the internet," platforms can be misused. "What the platforms will say when they're called out is, 'I've created a platform for fun,'" she said. "Unless the platform itself is breaking the law of the country it's operating in, then there's nothing anyone can do. If [the website] is simply dangerous and dodgy, well, unfortunately we're stuck with it."
eSafety Commissioner Monitoring
An eSafety spokesperson told 7NEWS that roulette-style apps posing significant online safety risks are monitored. "ESafety is concerned about the risks posed by randomised video chat platforms like Omoggle and is monitoring the service's compliance with the Online Safety Act's codes and standards," the spokesperson said.
Kids Bypass Restrictions
Despite Australia's social media ban, McLean says kids find ways around restrictions. "We've seen with social media platforms that these products that verify age through facial scanning are pretty flawed," she said. "If kids want to find a way around something, they will." The emergence of Omoggle underscores the challenge for parents and regulators, with bans creating a false sense of security. McLean stressed the need for education: "We need to educate young people around tech use, risk and danger, and we need to educate parents to make sure they're actually parenting in the digital space. All we can do is raise awareness that these platforms exist and make sure parents are aware."
