Reddit User Uncovers Who Is Behind Meta's $2B Lobbying for Age Verification Tech (gadgetreview.com)

Article summary

A Reddit researcher has uncovered Meta's $2 billion lobbying campaign to push for age verification laws that would require Apple and Google to build surveillance infrastructure into their devices, while exempting Meta's own platforms. The proposed laws would mandate OS-level APIs for age verification, creating a permanent identity layer in devices. The European Union's Digital Identity Wallet is cited as an alternative approach that uses zero-knowledge proofs to verify age without revealing personal data. Meta's lobbying efforts span 45 states and use nonprofit shells to avoid transparency requirements.

Main themes

• Meta's lobbying efforts
• age verification laws
• surveillance and data collection
• zero-knowledge proofs
• child safety
• regulatory compliance
• tech industry ethics

What commenters say

• The article's headline is misleading because it implies an unknown entity is behind Meta's lobbying, when in fact it is Meta itself.
• Some commenters appreciate the posting of duplicate comments that point out previous discussions on the same topic.
• Others find the repeated posting of '[dupe]' comments to be pointless or potentially motivated by karma farming.
• There is skepticism about the feasibility of zero-knowledge proofs for age verification, with some arguing that it is not a real or practical solution.
• The discussion highlights the complexity and nuance of the issue, with different perspectives on the potential benefits and drawbacks of age verification laws.
• Some commenters are concerned about the potential for surveillance and data collection, and argue that Meta's lobbying efforts are motivated by a desire to shift liability away from its own platforms.
• Others see the issue as a legitimate concern for child safety, and argue that some form of age verification is necessary to protect minors online.