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Age Check: Your ID is Now Required Online
25 Feb
Summary
- Social media platforms are increasingly requiring ID or facial scans for access.
- US lawmakers propose bills for app stores to verify user ages.
- Discord delayed global age verification rollout due to user backlash.
Age verification is rapidly becoming a norm across numerous social media platforms, with services like YouTube and Roblox now demanding identification or facial scans for full access. This surge in age-gating aligns with increased pressure for improved online child safety measures.
However, these initiatives are met with significant concerns regarding user privacy, data security, and the potential for censorship. In the United States, lawmakers are advancing legislation such as the App Store Accountability Act and the Parents Over Platforms Act, which aim to place the onus of age verification directly on app stores.
Discord, for instance, has opted to delay its planned global rollout of age verification until later in 2026, following considerable user backlash. This decision came even after a data breach involving a former vendor exposed some user identification documents last year. Meanwhile, other technology giants, including ChatGPT and Google, are implementing advanced AI models.
These AI systems are designed to detect and secure accounts suspected of belonging to minors, pending identity verification that confirms the user is an adult. The ongoing development and implementation of these measures signal a significant shift in how online platforms manage user access and safety.
