The KIDS Act would require age checks to get online

4 days ago

Congress is set to vote on the KIDS Act, which combines KOSA and other internet bills, pushing age verification and content moderation.
The act uses a 'knows or should have known' standard for minors, pressuring platforms to implement age checks, risking privacy and free expression.
Age verification may involve invasive methods like driver's licenses or facial scans, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups.
The bill regulates lawful speech around topics like addiction and gambling, pressuring platforms to censor discussions to avoid legal risk.
Private and encrypted messages are targeted, potentially weakening encryption and ephemeral messaging features for all users.
The act's complexity and legal risks could lead to restrictive age-checking across platforms, reducing privacy for everyone online.

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