Techdirt
The Problems With Age Verification
Apr 22, 2025
Eric Goldman, a law professor specializing in online child safety, discusses the paradoxes of age verification laws. He critiques the 'segregate and suppress' strategy, arguing it overlooks privacy and security concerns. Goldman highlights that age verification often harms youth engagement, pushing users to unsafe alternatives. He stresses the diverse needs of children, advocating for more nuanced policies that prepare them for the realities of the internet. The conversation calls for collaboration among stakeholders to create effective regulations.
49:22
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Quick takeaways
- Implementing age verification poses significant risks to privacy and security, raising concerns about sensitive personal information exposure.
- A nuanced regulatory approach is crucial, recognizing the diverse needs of children to avoid inadvertently reducing their access to vital online resources.
Deep dives
The Complexity of Age Verification Technology
Age verification technology is critical for implementing policies aimed at protecting children online, yet it raises significant concerns and challenges. As discussed in the podcast, the effectiveness of such laws hinges on accurately identifying minors, which opens the door to privacy violations and security risks. Law professor Eric Goldman characterizes this approach as 'segregate and suppress,' emphasizing its nature of dividing users into adults and children while often restricting access for the latter. This framing highlights the essential issue of treating minors differently, which can inadvertently suppress their access to vital information and resources.
