- The SCREEN Act (S. 737) would require online services to verify users' ages before accessing sexually explicit content, affecting millions of adult users' privacy and anonymity.
- Unlike state laws, the bill applies broadly to any service hosting even a single piece of explicit content, including streaming platforms and social media, not just adult sites.
- Simple age attestation is insufficient; platforms must use identity-linked verification methods, which are more invasive than physical ID checks.
- The bill's data protection measures are weak, allowing third-party verification services to collect and retain personal information with minimal limits, posing privacy and security risks.
- The SCREEN Act restricts VPN usage by requiring age verification based on IP addresses, undermining legitimate privacy and security benefits for users.
- The bill would block adults from lawful speech, reduce anonymity, and jeopardize internet privacy and data security for all users.