Age Verification Laws: The Comedy of Errors in Online Safety!
Age verification requirements are the wrong approach to protecting young people online. These mandates threaten to undermine privacy, free speech, and the fundamental rights of internet users, both young and old. Instead of enhancing safety, they create barriers and risks, leaving everyone wondering if the “safety” in question is just a mirage.
Hot Take:
Who knew that trying to protect minors online would turn into a comedy of errors, starring age verification mandates that are about as effective as using a colander to bail out a sinking ship? These laws are like trying to keep ice cream from melting in the Sahara—well-intentioned but ultimately doomed to fail, while inadvertently making a mess for everyone involved.
Key Points:
- Nearly half of U.S. states have passed laws requiring age verification on online platforms.
- The EFF argues these laws harm internet users’ privacy and free speech rights.
- Age verification often involves invasive methods like ID checks and biometric scans.
- Courts across several states have deemed these mandates unconstitutional.
- EFF continues to fight against these laws, advocating for digital rights protection.
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