The Scam of Age Verification
5 days ago
- #Censorship
- #Privacy
- #Age Verification
- Age Verification (AV) laws are being implemented in multiple countries, including the UK, US, and France, targeting adult content platforms.
- AV methods include ID uploads, facial age estimation, and credit card checks, but these are ineffective and invasive, leading to significant user drop-offs (90% or more).
- AV laws disproportionately target large adult sites while exempting mainstream platforms like social media and search engines, which also host adult content.
- The implementation of AV is driven by moral panic and political agendas rather than evidence-based child protection strategies.
- AV laws are expected to destroy legitimate adult businesses, push users to unregulated and unsafe platforms, and fail to protect minors.
- The US Supreme Court's recent decision allows states to enforce AV laws with minimal constitutional constraints, undermining privacy and free speech.
- France's AV implementation is particularly flawed, with redundant verification requirements and a ban on credit card use for age verification.
- The EU is also pushing AV mandates under the Digital Services Act (DSA), targeting adult platforms while ignoring larger mainstream sites.
- Alternative solutions, such as device-level parental controls, are more effective but are not being prioritized by policymakers.
- The debate around AV is marked by hypocrisy, misinformation, and a lack of rational policymaking, with long-term negative consequences for privacy and freedom.