Online age-verification tools for child safety are surveilling adults (cnbc.com)

Article summary

New US laws aimed at protecting minors online are leading to the implementation of age-verification tools, which are raising concerns about adult surveillance and data privacy. Roughly half of US states have enacted or are advancing laws requiring platforms to block underage users, forcing companies to screen everyone who approaches these digital gates. The use of AI technology, such as facial recognition and age-estimation models, is being used to determine whether someone is old enough to access certain content. This has sparked debate about the balance between child safety and adult privacy.

Main themes

• age verification
• online child safety
• data privacy
• surveillance
• AI technology
• online regulation
• digital identity
• privacy concerns

What commenters say

• Age verification will inevitably lead to a loss of privacy and increased surveillance of adults.
• The implementation of age verification is a necessary step to protect children from online harm.
• The use of AI technology for age verification is flawed and will lead to incorrect identifications and restrictions.
• The focus on age verification is misguided and will not effectively address the issue of online child safety.
• The collection and storage of personal data for age verification purposes poses a significant risk of data breaches and leaks.
• The trend towards age verification will lead to a permanent shift in the way identity is tied to online behavior.
• The use of third-party vendors for age verification creates new legal exposure for companies and raises concerns about data protection.
• The implementation of age verification will drive users to alternative platforms and underground networks.