Age Verification: The Privacy Nightmare Turning the Internet into a Digital DMV
EFF is against all mandatory age verification. These laws transform the internet into a gated community and exclude many without proper documentation. Age-gating laws not only compromise privacy but also enforce a surveillance regime, turning online anonymity into an endangered species. Remember, the internet is for everyone, not just those with a valid ID.
Hot Take:
Age verification mandates: turning the internet into a digital version of “No ID, No Entry.” While the intent might be to protect, the execution leaves a lot to be desired—like asking for a library card to check out memes. With more holes than Swiss cheese, these laws inadvertently gatecrash the online party for many, leaving them out in the virtual cold.
Key Points:
- Mandatory age verification laws are criticized for excluding individuals lacking proper documentation.
- Attestation methods range from self-declared ages to government ID-based verification.
- Age estimation via photos and data can be inaccurate and privacy-invasive.
- Device-bound digital IDs offer selective disclosure but come with accessibility concerns.
- The EFF advocates for privacy-preserving alternatives and critiques the entanglement with digital ID mandates.
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