Bluesky Goes Dark in Mississippi over Age Verification Law
a day ago
- #age verification
- #internet privacy
- #social media
- Bluesky blocks all IP addresses in Mississippi due to the state's strict age verification law for social media platforms.
- Mississippi's law requires identifying and tracking users under 18 and collecting sensitive personal information for age verification.
- Bluesky cites concerns over free speech, disproportionate harm to smaller platforms, and lack of resources to comply.
- Non-compliance could result in fines of up to $10,000 per violation.
- Age verification laws, like those in the UK and Texas, raise concerns about privacy, free speech, and effectiveness.
- Critics argue such laws may increase risks like identity theft and privacy violations for children.
- VPN usage spiked in the UK post-implementation, showing potential workarounds for age restrictions.
- Bluesky advocates for child safety policies that avoid harming free expression or small providers.