Online age verification systems are surveillance systems that threaten everyone’s privacy and anonymity, according to the American civil rights movement EFF, in response to a law recently passed in Australia that bans social media for people under the age of 16. To enforce the age ban, social media platforms must take “reasonable measures” to verify the age of users.
The use of IDs is not permitted, but according to the EFF this is a ‘failed attempt’ to protect privacy. Platforms will therefore fall back on ‘unreliable tools such as biometric scanners’, the civil rights movement adds. In addition, the law does not state to which platforms the ban will apply. An Australian regulator will determine that. “This gives government officials dangerous powers to crack down on services they don’t like, to the detriment of underage and adult users,” the EFF said.
The ban won’t take effect for another 12 months, but the EFF fears the law will affect the privacy, anonymity and data security of all Australians. “Banning social media and introducing mandatory age verification checks is the wrong approach to protecting young people online, and this bill has been pushed through the Australian parliament in haste and with little oversight or scrutiny,” the EFF added. This calls on European and American policymakers not to follow such an approach.
In short:
| Concern | Description |
|---|---|
| Privacy Threat | Online age verification systems jeopardize privacy and anonymity for all users, according to EFF. |
| Age Verification Enforcement | A new Australian law requires social media platforms to verify users’ ages without using IDs. |
| Use of Unreliable Tools | Platforms may resort to biometric scanners, which are considered unreliable by the EFF. |
| Regulatory Power | An Australian regulator will decide which platforms are affected, potentially leading to misuse of power. |
| Call to Policymakers | EFF urges European and American leaders to avoid similar legislation due to privacy concerns. |
