Orwellian Nightmare
We seem to be caught up in an Orwellian nightmare. Many people are outraged at the latest laws the are being forced upon people in various countries and it is starting to happen here in the United States. I am, of course, talking about “Age Verification” (AV). The way that it is implemented in many places is a privacy nightmare. You have to upload your personal information to a third party (who you don’t know, and might be breached and your data compromised). They want to see your driver’s license or other form of identification that contains a lot of information about you. The implementation of age verification laws often involves the collection and storage of extensive personal data, which critics argue compromises privacy and security. Minors who bypass these measures may leave a traceable online activity record, further jeopardizing their privacy. Additionally, the requirement for age verification can lead to increased surveillance and monitoring, fostering an environment of self-censorship and eroding the right to free expression.
The way that these laws are implemented and the extremely broad terms that are used for the scope of the information that has to be “Age Verified” can mean much more than many people seem to realize.
There are several factors that seem problematic when you look at the various laws, not just in the United States, where the laws are now just in 24 states, and are not consistent. But in other countries that are caught up in the hysteria. The first thing to consider is “Proving you are an adult”, Which includes handing over a Government issued document giving out a lot of PII (Personally Identifiable Information) to a third party (Who is not usually identified, Who you do not know what their Data Retention Policies are, and what security they offer for the data they are getting from you). This can open you up to Doxing, Identity Theft, and a myriad of scams (if) when your data is leaked because the data was not properly encrypted at rest. This is designed to have a chilling effect on people wanting to see content on the internet.
In the United States, several states have enacted or proposed legislation that mandates age verification for social media platforms and app stores. For instance, Tennessee’s Protecting Children from Social Media Act requires social media companies to verify express parental consent for users under 18. Similarly, Florida’s Social Media Safety Act mandates age verification and terminates accounts for children under 14. These laws aim to protect minors from harmful content and addictive features but also pose risks to privacy and free speech.
It starts with “Adult Content”. But, who decides the definition? What is “Harmful to Minors”? Depending on your beliefs it could be almost anything. It could be a different world view, a particular religion, a sexual orientation or skin color. We have already seen what physical book burning has done, and we are witnessing digital book burning in “The Land of the Free, Home of the Brave” when an administration culls hundreds of thousands of pages from Government websites concerning healthcare and science in the name of political correctness.
I understand that parents wish to protect children from things they are not mature enough or do not wish to expose themselves or their children to. I am not opposed to doing that. Let that be an individual choice. There are many technical ways of doing that for individual families that are less intrusive to the general population.
Complex Issues
Age verification and its implications for data privacy and censorship are complex issues, especially as governments and platforms navigate the balance between protecting minors and respecting individual rights. The trend towards age verification has been gaining momentum, with various states and countries implementing laws that require users to verify their ages to access certain online content. This trend raises significant concerns about privacy, censorship, and the potential for overreach.
The hysteria that we are witnessing is a smoke screen for censorship and oppression. I point this our because we need to have a serious discussion of the merits of the arguments that are being put forth. My personal opinion is that our freedoms are being jeopardized by these laws that are overly broad and easily circumvented.
The debate over age verification is not limited to the United States. Globally, there is a growing trend towards implementing such laws, particularly in Europe, where age verification for accessing pornographic content is becoming more common. These laws are designed to protect children from exposure to explicit content that could harm their mental and emotional well-being. However, they also face criticism for their potential to infringe on privacy and free speech rights.
How Effective is it?
Moreover, the effectiveness of age verification laws is questionable. A study suggests that such laws drive adults and minors to websites operating outside U.S. standards and regulations. This potentially exposing them to even greater risks. The use of VPNs and other circumvention tools has surged in response to age verification laws, indicating that determined users can bypass these restrictions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while age verification laws aim to protect minors, they also present significant challenges to privacy and free speech. As these laws continue to evolve, it is crucial to consider their broader implications. We need to ensure that they do not infringe on the rights of individuals while genuinely protecting children from harmful content.