Internet Age-Gates Are a Growing Global Threat
6 hours ago
- #age_verification
- #digital_rights
- #social_media_ban
- Australia implemented a complete ban on social media for users under 16, requiring platforms to enforce age assurance and face fines for non-compliance, which has led to loss of access and challenges in court.
- The UK's Online Safety Act mandates age checks and algorithmic changes to protect children from harmful content, but critics argue it introduces more harm and privacy issues.
- Indonesia and Malaysia have introduced bans on social media for users under 16, with platforms required to deactivate accounts or face penalties.
- Brazil's 2025 law requires age checks for products and services accessible to minors, with enforcement by data protection agencies, raising concerns about scope and data protection.
- The EU is moving towards mandatory age verification through interoperable apps, with privacy and security risks, and proposals to set a digital minimum age of 16 for social media.
- Mandatory age verification measures are criticized for restricting young people's rights to information and speech, and forcing all users to submit personal data, raising privacy and free speech concerns.