Age Verification Coming for the Internet
- The latest EFFector newsletter, issue 37.18, focuses on the growing push for age verification online and its potential implications for digital privacy and free expression.
- For over three decades, the electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has published EFFector to inform readers about developments in digital rights.
- Proponents of age verification argue it's necessary to protect children from harmful content.
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Effector 37.18: Age Verification measures Loom for the Internet
Table of Contents
The latest EFFector newsletter, issue 37.18, focuses on the growing push for age verification online and its potential implications for digital privacy and free expression. You can listen to the EFFector broadcast on YouTube or access the audio via the Internet Archive.
EFFECTOR 37.18 – 🪪 AGE VERIFICATION IS COMING FOR THE INTERNET
The Rise of Online Age Verification
For over three decades, the electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has published EFFector to inform readers about developments in digital rights. The newsletter addresses the complex intersection of technology, civil liberties, human rights, and law. Issue 37.18 highlights a concerning trend: increasing calls for mandatory age verification across the internet.
Proponents of age verification argue it’s necessary to protect children from harmful content. However, the EFF warns that these measures pose important risks to privacy and could lead to widespread censorship. Current proposals frequently enough rely on collecting and storing sensitive personal information, creating potential security vulnerabilities and chilling effects on free speech. The EFF argues that less intrusive methods, such as parental controls and education, are preferable.
Potential Methods and Thier Drawbacks
Several age verification methods are being considered, each with its own set of problems:
- Government ID Scans: Requiring users to scan driver’s licenses or passports raises serious privacy concerns and creates a centralized database of sensitive information.
- Biometric Data: Using facial recognition or other biometric data is highly invasive and prone to errors, particularly for marginalized groups.
- Age Assurance Technologies: These technologies attempt to verify age without collecting personal information,but their effectiveness and privacy protections are often questionable.
- Credit Card Verification: Excludes individuals without credit cards,creating a digital divide.
The EFF emphasizes that no age verification method is foolproof and that all methods carry inherent risks. They advocate for a cautious approach and a thorough consideration of the potential consequences before implementing any widespread age verification system.
EFF’s Ongoing Advocacy
The EFF has been a leading voice in the fight for digital rights since 1990.Through EFFector and other initiatives, the association provides critical analysis and advocacy on issues such as privacy, free speech, and security. The organization actively lobbies against legislation that threatens these rights and supports policies that promote a free and open internet.
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