Navigating the Digital Dilemma: Age Verification Laws Raise Concerns Over Privacy, Security, and Freedom of Speech
The internet, a powerful tool for global connection and education, is facing a generational challenge as it poses potential dangers to minors with unregulated access. However, the solution to this issue isn’t straightforward, as efforts to monitor children’s internet usage could infringe on adult privacy rights.
In recent years, several states in the U.S. and the United Kingdom have enacted age verification laws, requiring users to provide official identification or biometric data to access certain content. While these laws aim to protect minors from accessing harmful material, security experts express concerns about their flawed implementation plans, which may create significant security risks for adult users as well.
When discussing age verification laws, we’re not referring to the simple age checks when creating an online account, such as the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) in the U.S. Instead, these new measures involve uploading government-issued IDs or biometric data to third-party verification systems.
Parents and policymakers are concerned about minors accessing potentially dangerous content, such as online pornography, information about illicit substances, or social media platforms where they may encounter predators. Unfortunately, these concerns are not unfounded; there have been reports of children facing online harassment, bullying, and even death due to harmful activities on popular platforms.
However, the implementation of age verification systems can be problematic, as demonstrated by instances like the Tea app data breach, where users’ personal information was exposed despite promises of immediate deletion. Such incidents highlight the importance of proper digital security measures and the potential risks associated with sharing sensitive information online.
Moreover, these laws may have far-reaching consequences, such as infringing on freedom of speech and privacy rights, particularly in regions where political dissidents could face prosecution for their beliefs. Anonymity is essential to allow individuals to engage in meaningful discussions about current events without fear of retribution or scrutiny.
In the U.S., several states have enacted age verification laws, impacting websites that host a certain percentage of “sexual material harmful to minors.” As a result, pornographic websites must verify users’ identities before granting access, while some sites choose to block traffic from certain states altogether.
The United Kingdom’s Online Safety Act, which came into effect in July 2025, requires many online platforms to verify users’ identities before granting access. If a user is identified as a minor, they will be barred from accessing certain websites. The Act applies to search engines, social media platforms, video-sharing platforms, instant messaging services, cloud storage sites, and more.
However, these measures may not always protect users’ privacy, as individual websites can choose their preferred authentication methods, with potential security risks associated with each method. Users must now weigh the benefits of accessing information against the potential privacy concerns involved in sharing sensitive data.
These new regulations could also impact users outside of the U.K., as tech platforms comply with these regulations and introduce age estimation technology for users worldwide. In response, VPN downloads have surged in regions where access to certain content is restricted. While VPNs can provide a solution to bypass age verification systems, free VPN services may not always prioritize user privacy, making it crucial to choose reputable providers.
