Age verification is just a precursor to automated attribution of speech
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Age verification laws are a precursor to automated identity-attribution systems for speech.
The author argues that age verification regulations in US states, Europe, and Australia are designed to attribute digital identities to real identities (e.g., SSN, ID). They claim this enables automated identification of individuals for law enforcement, regardless of criminal activity. The author advises not verifying age and using Monero if necessary.
What commenters are saying
Commenters split into two camps: those arguing privacy and free speech are at risk, and those advocating legal engagement or noting that disliking datacenters is not a crime. A top comment criticizes the essay's indirect approach, suggesting arguing for free speech protections directly. Another notes that calling representatives often yields little results, with one commenter sharing experience of local surveillance regulation efforts. A comment cites automated fines in Germany for copyright as a precedent.