The UK's war on anonymity has come to America (effort.news)

Article summary

The UK's digital ID laws, which prevent adults from using the internet anonymously, have been replicated in the US by British NGOs. These laws are advocated for under the guise of 'child safety', but critics argue they can be used to surveil and control political dissidents. The NGOs, including 5Rights and the Center for Countering Digital Hate, have lobbied for these laws in 21 US states and Congress. The laws have raised concerns about censorship, authoritarianism, and the erosion of online anonymity.

Main themes

• Digital ID laws
• Online anonymity
• Child safety
• Censorship
• Authoritarianism
• NGO influence

What commenters say

• The use of 'child safety' as a justification for digital ID laws is a manipulative tactic to restrict online anonymity and freedom.
• Parents are not equipped to control their children's online activities, and therefore, governments should regulate the internet to protect them.
• Implementing laws to restrict harmful content on social media is a more effective solution than requiring digital IDs or parental controls.
• Holding parents legally liable for their children's online activities could be an effective incentive for them to take responsibility for their children's safety.
• The power imbalance between individual parents and big tech companies makes it unrealistic to expect parents to protect their children from harmful online content without government intervention.
• Education and awareness are more effective long-term solutions to online safety than restrictive laws or regulations.
• The erosion of online anonymity poses a significant threat to individual freedom and privacy, and should be resisted.
• Social media companies should be held accountable for their role in promoting harmful content and addictive behaviors, rather than relying on parents or governments to regulate them.