Age verification - Revision history

ClippyWantsToHelp at 19:25, 13 June 2026

2026-06-13T19:25:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:25, 13 June 2026
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	*[[Roblox#ID & face scan age verification\|Roblox's age verification]] and account estimation algorithm for talking with users of similar age.		*[[Roblox#ID & face scan age verification\|Roblox's age verification]] and account estimation algorithm for talking with users of similar age.

			==Alternatives==
			These are more consumer-friendly alternatives to age verification that can protect consumer rights and younger users:
			*Education about internet risks and usage of parental controls
			*Internet service options that include the ability to block sites and configure parental controls to the liking of the user
			*Mandate for social media the modification of their algorithms to prevent making the media addictive and the visibility of harmful and dangerous practices and the reinforcement of moderation and parental controls.

	==External links==		==External links==
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	*[https://reclaimthenet.org/age-verification Say No to Online Age Verification at Reclaim The Net]		*[https://reclaimthenet.org/age-verification Say No to Online Age Verification at Reclaim The Net]

	~~==Alternatives==~~
	~~These are more consumer-friendly alternatives to age verification that can protect consumer rights and younger users:~~
	*Education about internet risks and usage of parental controls
	*Internet service options that include the ability to block sites and configure parental controls to the liking of the user
	*Mandate for social media the modification of their algorithms to prevent making the media addictive and the visibility of harmful and dangerous practices and the reinforcement of moderation and parental controls.
	==See also==		==See also==

ClippyWantsToHelp at 19:23, 13 June 2026

2026-06-13T19:23:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:23, 13 June 2026
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	===Storage of private and biometric Information by age verification service providers===		===Storage of private and biometric Information by age verification service providers===
	A study commissioned by the Australian government found that age verification service providers accumulate a concerning amount of personal information, sometimes even biometric in nature, even when that was not necessary to provide the age verification service.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Meineck \|first=Sebastian \|date=2025-09-03 \|title=Anbieter von Alterskontrollen horten biometrische Daten [Age Verification Providers are hoarding biometric Data] \|url=https://netzpolitik.org/2025/australisches-gutachten-anbieter-von-alterskontrollen-horten-biometrische-daten/ \|access-date=2025-09-03 \|website=Netzpolitik.org \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250903115436/https://netzpolitik.org/2025/australisches-gutachten-anbieter-von-alterskontrollen-horten-biometrische-daten/ \|archive-date=2025-09-03 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Meineck \|first=Sebastion \|date=2025-09-03 \|title=Anbieter von Alterskontrollen horten biometrische Daten [Google Translate English Version] \|url=https://netzpolitik-org.translate.goog/2025/australisches-gutachten-anbieter-von-alterskontrollen-horten-biometrische-daten/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp \|access-date=2025-09-03 \|website=Netzpolitik.org \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251023063119/https://netzpolitik-org.translate.goog/2025/australisches-gutachten-anbieter-von-alterskontrollen-horten-biometrische-daten/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp \|archive-date=2025-10-23 }}</ref>		A study commissioned by the Australian government found that age verification service providers accumulate a concerning amount of personal information, sometimes even biometric in nature, even when that was not necessary to provide the age verification service.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Meineck \|first=Sebastian \|date=2025-09-03 \|title=Anbieter von Alterskontrollen horten biometrische Daten [Age Verification Providers are hoarding biometric Data] \|url=https://netzpolitik.org/2025/australisches-gutachten-anbieter-von-alterskontrollen-horten-biometrische-daten/ \|access-date=2025-09-03 \|website=Netzpolitik.org \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250903115436/https://netzpolitik.org/2025/australisches-gutachten-anbieter-von-alterskontrollen-horten-biometrische-daten/ \|archive-date=2025-09-03 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Meineck \|first=Sebastion \|date=2025-09-03 \|title=Anbieter von Alterskontrollen horten biometrische Daten [Google Translate English Version] \|url=https://netzpolitik-org.translate.goog/2025/australisches-gutachten-anbieter-von-alterskontrollen-horten-biometrische-daten/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp \|access-date=2025-09-03 \|website=Netzpolitik.org \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251023063119/https://netzpolitik-org.translate.goog/2025/australisches-gutachten-anbieter-von-alterskontrollen-horten-biometrische-daten/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp \|archive-date=2025-10-23 }}</ref>

			===Age-gating===
			Some applications or sites, such as [[Roblox]] use age-gating systems to segregate their users into age brackets. These brackets separate younger users from adults, but adults that are sexual predators can trick these systems to find easily the users they're targetting.

	===Driving users towards smaller and completely unregulated offerings===		===Driving users towards smaller and completely unregulated offerings===
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	*[https://reclaimthenet.org/age-verification Say No to Online Age Verification at Reclaim The Net]		*[https://reclaimthenet.org/age-verification Say No to Online Age Verification at Reclaim The Net]

			==Alternatives==
			These are more consumer-friendly alternatives to age verification that can protect consumer rights and younger users:
			*Education about internet risks and usage of parental controls
			*Internet service options that include the ability to block sites and configure parental controls to the liking of the user
			*Mandate for social media the modification of their algorithms to prevent making the media addictive and the visibility of harmful and dangerous practices and the reinforcement of moderation and parental controls.
	==See also==		==See also==

	*[[Chat Control]]		*[[Chat Control]]
			*[[Parents Decide Act]]
			*[[Malaysia Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA)]]

	==References==		==References==

C.Ezra.M: fix typos and add link

2026-06-06T22:15:45Z

fix typos and add link

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:15, 6 June 2026
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	The Online Safety Act is already exerting extraterritorial control through the age‑verification and validation changes it prompts, which are being implemented in the U.S. even though those companies customer bases are not at all subject to UK law, even Europeans that are also not under UK law are affected. This stems from the Act’s vague, overly broad language requiring companies to comply whenever users are located in the UK. Because the law effectively ignores national borders, non‑UK companies face only two options: geo‑block affected content for UK users or apply the same verification measures globally.		The Online Safety Act is already exerting extraterritorial control through the age‑verification and validation changes it prompts, which are being implemented in the U.S. even though those companies customer bases are not at all subject to UK law, even Europeans that are also not under UK law are affected. This stems from the Act’s vague, overly broad language requiring companies to comply whenever users are located in the UK. Because the law effectively ignores national borders, non‑UK companies face only two options: geo‑block affected content for UK users or apply the same verification measures globally.

	Geo‑blocking would severely disrupt services and business relationships that where already in place with UK customers before the Online Safety Act, so many companies choose to implement the changes for all users resulting in practical overreach beyond the UK. A reason for this is ~~Ofcoms~~<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2025-01-31 \|title=What is Ofcom? \|url=https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/what-we-do/what-is-ofcom \|url-status=live \|access-date=2026-04-07 \|website=[[Ofcom]]}}</ref> statutory powers to require platforms to use “accredited technology” to detect illegal content. As such systems would have to be implemented onto all the content this again would be an overreach of their ~~precieved~~ authorities. ~~Companys~~ that do not comply are already ~~beeing~~ fined for this.		Geo‑blocking would severely disrupt services and business relationships that where already in place with UK customers before the Online Safety Act, so many companies choose to implement the changes for all users resulting in practical overreach beyond the UK. A reason for this is Ofcom's<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2025-01-31 \|title=What is Ofcom? \|url=https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/what-we-do/what-is-ofcom \|url-status=live \|access-date=2026-04-07 \|website=[[Ofcom]]}}</ref> statutory powers to require platforms to use “accredited technology” to detect illegal content. As such systems would have to be implemented onto all the content this again would be an overreach of their perceived authorities. Companies that do not comply are already being fined for this.

	Even if the UK Government has “paused” its demand for implementing “accredited ~~technologys”~~ there is no practical way to meet the vague requirement set out by Ofcom in the Online Safety Act. The proposal ignores that smaller companies would likely be forced to close under the financial burden of compliance, producing a sterilized market with reduced competition only firms with deep pockets can comply. That still does not prevent Ofcom from fining companies that fail to comply.		Even if the UK Government has “paused” its demand for implementing “accredited technologies” there is no practical way to meet the vague requirement set out by Ofcom in the Online Safety Act. The proposal ignores that smaller companies would likely be forced to close under the financial burden of compliance, producing a sterilized market with reduced competition only firms with deep pockets can comply. That still does not prevent Ofcom from fining companies that fail to comply.

	Examples:		Examples:
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	*'''Credit card check''': Less privacy-invasive than an ID check or a live selfie, but very problematic because of potential card theft if a data leak occurs.		*'''Credit card check''': Less privacy-invasive than an ID check or a live selfie, but very problematic because of potential card theft if a data leak occurs.
	*'''Behavior prediction''': Used by some social media to estimate the user's age by its behavior on the platform using algorithms.		*'''Behavior prediction''': Used by some social media to estimate the user's age by its behavior on the platform using algorithms.


	==Examples==		==Examples==
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	*[https://www.eff.org/pages/age-verification-bills-are-unconstitutional EFF explains how OS-level age-verification is unconstitutional]		*[https://www.eff.org/pages/age-verification-bills-are-unconstitutional EFF explains how OS-level age-verification is unconstitutional]
	*[https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/8250/all-info All Information (Except Text) for H.R.8250 - Parents Decide Act]		*[https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/8250/all-info All Information (Except Text) for H.R.8250 - Parents Decide Act]
	*[https://csa-scientist-open-letter.org/ageverif-Feb2026\| Joint statement of scientists and researchers on Age Assurance - Open letter signed by academics, warning about age verification risks]		*[https://csa-scientist-open-letter.org/ageverif-Feb2026 Joint statement of scientists and researchers on Age Assurance - Open letter signed by academics, warning about age verification risks]
			*[https://reclaimthenet.org/age-verification Say No to Online Age Verification at Reclaim The Net]

	==See also==		==See also==

Natsirtium: Added citations and grammer cleaning

2026-05-28T23:54:27Z

Added citations and grammer cleaning

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:54, 28 May 2026
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	===Inaccuracy===		===Inaccuracy===
	~~Researches about~~ age verification software that estimates age via face scans are inaccurate, identifying children as adults or vice versa. These inaccurate estimations ~~might~~ lead to have to use more privacy-invasive methods like submitting a picture of a personal ID. ~~{{Citation needed}}~~		Research on age verification software that estimates age via face scans are often inaccurate, identifying children as adults or vice versa.<ref>{{Cite journal \|last=Ganel \|first=Tzvi \|date=2022-12-29 \|title=Biases in human perception of facial age are present and more exaggerated in current AI technology \|url=https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-27009-w \|journal=Nature \|volume=12 \|issue=1 \|pages=22519 \|via=Springer Nature}}</ref> These inaccurate estimations could lead to have to use more privacy-invasive methods like submitting a picture of a personal ID.

	===~~Questioned effectiveness~~===		===Effectiveness===
	~~Recent studies evidenced practices done by~~ the Online Safety Act legislation are ~~poorly effective~~ as many users ~~managed to~~ reach to VPNs and ~~bypasses~~ in order to protect their privacy online {{~~Citation needed~~}}. ~~Children might~~ use their parents' IDs or credit cards to ~~circumvent the systems~~ and ~~have~~ access ~~to mature~~ content. ~~{{Citation needed}}~~		Enforcement of the Online Safety Act legislation are often ineffective as many users can reach to VPNs and other methods in order to protect their privacy online.<ref>{{Cite journal \|last=Jarvie \|first=Chelsea \|date= \|title=Online Age Verification: Government Legislation, Supplier Responsibilization, and Public Perceptions \|url=https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11429505/ \|journal=PubMed Central \|volume=11 \|issue=9 \|pages=1068 \|via=National Library of Medicine}}</ref> E.g. children could trivially use their parents' IDs or credit cards to be falsely identified as an adult, and access restricted content.

	===Limitation of control over owned devices===		===Limitation of control over owned devices===
	Age verification ~~methods that are done~~ at the operating system level, ~~such~~ as ~~how it is done~~ on [[Apple introduces OS-level age verification\|iOS]] in some regions, prevent the device owner, even ~~if they're an adult,~~ to freely use their device unless they ~~send~~ sensitive data online. This also ~~prevents~~ parents from configuring their children's devices to their liking or to create different profiles in case a device is used by multiple people.~~{{Citation needed}}~~		Age verification at the operating system level, as implemented on [[Apple introduces OS-level age verification\|iOS]] in some regions<ref>{{Cite web \|last= \|first= \|date=2026-05-28 \|title=If you're asked to confirm that you’re an adult \|url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/125662 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260506175439/https://support.apple.com/en-us/125662 \|archive-date=2026-05-06 \|access-date=2026-05-28 \|website=Apple support}}</ref>, can prevent the device owner - even adults to freely use their device unless they submit sensitive data online. This can also prevent parents from configuring their children's devices to their liking or to create different profiles in case a device is used by multiple people.

	===Threat to Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)===		===Threat to Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)===

ClippyWantsToHelp at 23:30, 12 May 2026

2026-05-12T23:30:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:30, 12 May 2026
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	Recent studies evidenced practices done by the Online Safety Act legislation are poorly effective as many users managed to reach to VPNs and bypasses in order to protect their privacy online {{Citation needed}}. Children might use their parents' IDs or credit cards to circumvent the systems and have access to mature content. {{Citation needed}}		Recent studies evidenced practices done by the Online Safety Act legislation are poorly effective as many users managed to reach to VPNs and bypasses in order to protect their privacy online {{Citation needed}}. Children might use their parents' IDs or credit cards to circumvent the systems and have access to mature content. {{Citation needed}}

			===Limitation of control over owned devices===
	===~~Anti-ownership practices and limitation~~ of control over ~~the device~~===
	Age verification methods that are done at the operating system level, such as how it is done on [[Apple introduces OS-level age verification\|iOS]] in some regions, prevent the device owner, even if they're an adult, to freely use their device unless they send sensitive data online. This also prevents parents from configuring their children's devices to their liking or to create different profiles in case a device is used by multiple people.{{Citation needed}}		Age verification methods that are done at the operating system level, such as how it is done on [[Apple introduces OS-level age verification\|iOS]] in some regions, prevent the device owner, even if they're an adult, to freely use their device unless they send sensitive data online. This also prevents parents from configuring their children's devices to their liking or to create different profiles in case a device is used by multiple people.{{Citation needed}}

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	==Methods==		==Methods==
	There are various methods used to verify and check the age of an user, ~~but~~ these ~~are~~ the most common:		There are various methods used to verify and check the age of an user, being these the most common ones:

			*'''Age attestation''': Consists of establishing the user's birthdate on their account or profile.
	*'''ID check''': The most privacy-invasive method and the riskiest of all. It consists of sending a picture of a government-issued ID, a passport or a drivers licence.		*'''ID check''': The most privacy-invasive method and the riskiest of all. It consists of sending a picture of a government-issued ID, a passport or a drivers licence.
	*'''Live selfie''': It consists of a live recording of the user's face. It has been questioned for its effectiveness and accuracy.		*'''Live selfie''': It consists of a live recording of the user's face. It has been questioned for its effectiveness and accuracy.
	*'''Credit card check''': Less privacy-invasive than an ID check or a live selfie, but very problematic because of potential card theft if a data leak occurs.		*'''Credit card check''': Less privacy-invasive than an ID check or a live selfie, but very problematic because of potential card theft if a data leak occurs.
	*'''Behavior prediction''': Used by some social media to estimate the user's age by its behavior on the platform using algorithms.		*'''Behavior prediction''': Used by some social media to estimate the user's age by its behavior on the platform using algorithms.


	==Examples==		==Examples==

Rudxain: /* Anti-ownership practices and limitation of control over the device */

2026-05-12T00:03:28Z

Anti-ownership practices and limitation of control over the device

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:03, 12 May 2026
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	===Anti-ownership practices and limitation of control over the device===		===Anti-ownership practices and limitation of control over the device===
	Age verification methods that are done at the operating system level, such as how it is done on [[Apple introduces OS-level age verification\|iOS]] in some regions, prevent the device owner, even if they're an adult, to freely use their device unless they send sensitive data online. This also ~~prevent~~ parents ~~to configure~~ their children devices to their liking or to create different profiles in case a device is used by multiple people.{{Citation needed}}		Age verification methods that are done at the operating system level, such as how it is done on [[Apple introduces OS-level age verification\|iOS]] in some regions, prevent the device owner, even if they're an adult, to freely use their device unless they send sensitive data online. This also prevents parents from configuring their children's devices to their liking or to create different profiles in case a device is used by multiple people.{{Citation needed}}

	===Threat to Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)===		===Threat to Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)===

Rudxain: replace FSW ref by FSM article

2026-05-11T23:58:40Z

replace FSW ref by FSM article

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:58, 11 May 2026
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	==How it works==		==How it works==

	=== Online Platform Age Verification ===		===Online Platform Age Verification===
	When accessing a platform or website that may contain content not suitable for all audiences may force you to register for the platform along with verifying your age by one of the methods mentioned previously. Sites that likely don't use any form of account system will probably have a popup instead requiring you to verify your age before even serving the content you were trying to access.		When accessing a platform or website that may contain content not suitable for all audiences may force you to register for the platform along with verifying your age by one of the methods mentioned previously. Sites that likely don't use any form of account system will probably have a popup instead requiring you to verify your age before even serving the content you were trying to access.

	=== Operating System Age Verification ===		===Operating System Age Verification===
	New legislation now mandates [[wikipedia:Operating_system\|operating systems (OS)]] to block the user until they verify their age. This is done "for convenience" so that apps and websites don't individually prompt the user, instead those apps/websites can just query the platform (e.g. OS, web-browser, etc...) without the user noticing.		New legislation now mandates [[wikipedia:Operating_system\|operating systems (OS)]] to block the user until they verify their age. This is done "for convenience" so that apps and websites don't individually prompt the user, instead those apps/websites can just query the platform (e.g. OS, web-browser, etc...) without the user noticing.



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	Age verification methods that are done at the operating system level, such as how it is done on [[Apple introduces OS-level age verification\|iOS]] in some regions, prevent the device owner, even if they're an adult, to freely use their device unless they send sensitive data online. This also prevent parents to configure their children devices to their liking or to create different profiles in case a device is used by multiple people.{{Citation needed}}		Age verification methods that are done at the operating system level, such as how it is done on [[Apple introduces OS-level age verification\|iOS]] in some regions, prevent the device owner, even if they're an adult, to freely use their device unless they send sensitive data online. This also prevent parents to configure their children devices to their liking or to create different profiles in case a device is used by multiple people.{{Citation needed}}

	=== Threat to Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) ===		===Threat to Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)===
	Age verification, especially identity verification, are fundamentally incompatible with the four essential freedoms of ~~free~~ software~~<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2026-01-28 \|title=What is Free Software?~~ \|~~url=https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/~~free-sw.html \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260426185514/https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html \|archive-date=2026-04-26 \|access-date=2026-05-01 \|website=GNU Operating System}}</ref>. Legislation that mandates nationwide operating system age verification could outlaw GNU/Linux, consolidating monopolistic power to proprietary operating systems<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Trevino \|first=Sam \|date=2026-03-06 \|title=Age Assurance Laws and the End of General Purpose Computing \|url=https://samtrevino.substack.com/p/age-assurance-laws-and-the-end-of \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://archive.org/details/age-assurance-laws-and-the-end-of-general-purpose-computing-report \|archive-date=2026-03-11 \|access-date=2026-05-01}}</ref>.		Age verification, especially identity verification, are fundamentally incompatible with the four essential freedoms of [[Free software movement\|free software]]. Legislation that mandates nationwide operating system age verification could outlaw GNU/Linux, consolidating monopolistic power to proprietary operating systems<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Trevino \|first=Sam \|date=2026-03-06 \|title=Age Assurance Laws and the End of General Purpose Computing \|url=https://samtrevino.substack.com/p/age-assurance-laws-and-the-end-of \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://archive.org/details/age-assurance-laws-and-the-end-of-general-purpose-computing-report \|archive-date=2026-03-11 \|access-date=2026-05-01}}</ref>.

	==Methods==		==Methods==
	There are various methods used to verify and check the age of an user, but these are the most common:		There are various methods used to verify and check the age of an user, but these are the most common:

	*'''ID check''': The most privacy-invasive method and the riskiest of all. It consists of sending a picture of a government-issued ID, a passport or a drivers licence.		*'''ID check''': The most privacy-invasive method and the riskiest of all. It consists of sending a picture of a government-issued ID, a passport or a drivers licence.
	*'''Live selfie''': It consists of a live recording of the user's face. It has been questioned for its effectiveness and accuracy.		*'''Live selfie''': It consists of a live recording of the user's face. It has been questioned for its effectiveness and accuracy.
	*'''Credit card check''': Less privacy-invasive than an ID check or a live selfie, but very problematic because of potential card theft if a data leak occurs.		*'''Credit card check''': Less privacy-invasive than an ID check or a live selfie, but very problematic because of potential card theft if a data leak occurs.

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* External links */ included the open letter that warns about the risks of AV

2026-05-11T00:18:25Z

External links: included the open letter that warns about the risks of AV

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:18, 11 May 2026
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	*[https://www.eff.org/pages/age-verification-bills-are-unconstitutional EFF explains how OS-level age-verification is unconstitutional]		*[https://www.eff.org/pages/age-verification-bills-are-unconstitutional EFF explains how OS-level age-verification is unconstitutional]
	*[https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/8250/all-info All Information (Except Text) for H.R.8250 - Parents Decide Act]		*[https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/8250/all-info All Information (Except Text) for H.R.8250 - Parents Decide Act]
			*[https://csa-scientist-open-letter.org/ageverif-Feb2026\| Joint statement of scientists and researchers on Age Assurance - Open letter signed by academics, warning about age verification risks]

	==See also==		==See also==

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* Methods */

2026-05-11T00:03:19Z

Methods

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:03, 11 May 2026
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	*'''ID check''': The most privacy-invasive method and the riskiest of all. It consists of sending a picture of a government-issued ID, a passport or a drivers licence.		*'''ID check''': The most privacy-invasive method and the riskiest of all. It consists of sending a picture of a government-issued ID, a passport or a drivers licence.
	*'''Live selfie''': It consists of a live recording of the user's face. It has been questioned for its effectiveness and accuracy.		*'''Live selfie''': It consists of a live recording of the user's face. It has been questioned for its effectiveness and accuracy.
	'''*Credit card check''': Less privacy-invasive than an ID check or a live selfie, but very problematic because of potential card theft if a data leak occurs.		*'''Credit card check''': Less privacy-invasive than an ID check or a live selfie, but very problematic because of potential card theft if a data leak occurs.
	'''Behavior prediction''': Used by some social media to estimate the user's age by its behavior on the platform using algorithms.		*'''Behavior prediction''': Used by some social media to estimate the user's age by its behavior on the platform using algorithms.

	==Examples==		==Examples==

ClippyWantsToHelp at 23:59, 10 May 2026

2026-05-10T23:59:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:59, 10 May 2026
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	{{See also\|Forced identification\|De-anonymization}}		{{See also\|Forced identification\|De-anonymization}}

	'''[[wikipedia:Age_verification\|Age Verification]]''' (AV), also referred to as '''Age Affirmation''' (AA) and '''Age gating''', is the process in where a business requires some form of identification to verify your age, a mass surveillance measure disguised as child safety to de-anonymize the internet. This is usually done for more explicit or mature content. This practice has been widely spreading since the [[UK Online Safety Act\|UK's Online Safety Act (OSA)]] has passed; requiring all individuals to verify themselves before accessing mature content. Ways of checking age include, but are not limited to: checking for a valid credit card, facial age estimation tools, government-issued ID, biometric data, account history behavior, and more.		'''[[wikipedia:Age_verification\|Age Verification]]''' (AV), also referred to as '''Age Affirmation''' (AA) and '''Age gating''', is the process in where a business requires some form of identification to verify your age, a mass surveillance measure disguised as child safety to de-anonymize the internet. This is usually done for more explicit, mature content or social media. This practice has been widely spreading since the [[UK Online Safety Act\|UK's Online Safety Act (OSA)]] has passed; requiring all individuals to verify themselves before accessing mature content. Ways of checking age include, but are not limited to: checking for a valid credit card, facial age estimation tools, government-issued ID, biometric data, account history behavior, and more.

	As of December 2025, 25 US States require websites with mature content to verify age.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=State Age Verification Laws - Action Center \|url=https://action.freespeechcoalition.com/age-verification-resources/state-avs-laws/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=2025-12-22 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251228121257/https://action.freespeechcoalition.com/age-verification-resources/state-avs-laws/ \|archive-date=2025-12-28 }}</ref>		As of December 2025, 25 US States require websites with mature content to verify age.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=State Age Verification Laws - Action Center \|url=https://action.freespeechcoalition.com/age-verification-resources/state-avs-laws/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=2025-12-22 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251228121257/https://action.freespeechcoalition.com/age-verification-resources/state-avs-laws/ \|archive-date=2025-12-28 }}</ref>
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	=== Operating System Age Verification ===		=== Operating System Age Verification ===
	New legislation now mandates [[wikipedia:Operating_system\|operating systems (OS)]] to block the user until they verify their age. This is done "for convenience" so that apps and websites don't individually prompt the user, instead those apps/websites can just query the platform (e.g. OS, web-browser, etc...) without the user noticing.		New legislation now mandates [[wikipedia:Operating_system\|operating systems (OS)]] to block the user until they verify their age. This is done "for convenience" so that apps and websites don't individually prompt the user, instead those apps/websites can just query the platform (e.g. OS, web-browser, etc...) without the user noticing.



	==Why is this a problem?==		==Why is this a problem?==
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	===Inaccuracy===		===Inaccuracy===
	Researches about age verification software that estimates age via face scans are inaccurate, identifying children as adults or vice versa. These inaccurate estimations might lead to have to use more privacy-invasive methods like submitting a picture of a personal ID. {{Citation needed}}		Researches about age verification software that estimates age via face scans are inaccurate, identifying children as adults or vice versa. These inaccurate estimations might lead to have to use more privacy-invasive methods like submitting a picture of a personal ID. {{Citation needed}}

			===Questioned effectiveness===
			Recent studies evidenced practices done by the Online Safety Act legislation are poorly effective as many users managed to reach to VPNs and bypasses in order to protect their privacy online {{Citation needed}}. Children might use their parents' IDs or credit cards to circumvent the systems and have access to mature content. {{Citation needed}}


			===Anti-ownership practices and limitation of control over the device===
			Age verification methods that are done at the operating system level, such as how it is done on [[Apple introduces OS-level age verification\|iOS]] in some regions, prevent the device owner, even if they're an adult, to freely use their device unless they send sensitive data online. This also prevent parents to configure their children devices to their liking or to create different profiles in case a device is used by multiple people.{{Citation needed}}

	=== Threat to Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) ===		=== Threat to Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) ===
	Age verification, especially identity verification, are fundamentally incompatible with the four essential freedoms of free software<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2026-01-28 \|title=What is Free Software? \|url=https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260426185514/https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html \|archive-date=2026-04-26 \|access-date=2026-05-01 \|website=GNU Operating System}}</ref>. Legislation that mandates nationwide operating system age verification could outlaw GNU/Linux, consolidating monopolistic power to proprietary operating systems<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Trevino \|first=Sam \|date=2026-03-06 \|title=Age Assurance Laws and the End of General Purpose Computing \|url=https://samtrevino.substack.com/p/age-assurance-laws-and-the-end-of \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://archive.org/details/age-assurance-laws-and-the-end-of-general-purpose-computing-report \|archive-date=2026-03-11 \|access-date=2026-05-01}}</ref>.		Age verification, especially identity verification, are fundamentally incompatible with the four essential freedoms of free software<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2026-01-28 \|title=What is Free Software? \|url=https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260426185514/https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html \|archive-date=2026-04-26 \|access-date=2026-05-01 \|website=GNU Operating System}}</ref>. Legislation that mandates nationwide operating system age verification could outlaw GNU/Linux, consolidating monopolistic power to proprietary operating systems<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Trevino \|first=Sam \|date=2026-03-06 \|title=Age Assurance Laws and the End of General Purpose Computing \|url=https://samtrevino.substack.com/p/age-assurance-laws-and-the-end-of \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://archive.org/details/age-assurance-laws-and-the-end-of-general-purpose-computing-report \|archive-date=2026-03-11 \|access-date=2026-05-01}}</ref>.

			==Methods==
			There are various methods used to verify and check the age of an user, but these are the most common:

			*'''ID check''': The most privacy-invasive method and the riskiest of all. It consists of sending a picture of a government-issued ID, a passport or a drivers licence.
			*'''Live selfie''': It consists of a live recording of the user's face. It has been questioned for its effectiveness and accuracy.
			'''*Credit card check''': Less privacy-invasive than an ID check or a live selfie, but very problematic because of potential card theft if a data leak occurs.
			'''Behavior prediction''': Used by some social media to estimate the user's age by its behavior on the platform using algorithms.

	==Examples==		==Examples==