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CRITICALPolicy Change2025-01-15 · United Kingdom

UK Mandates Age Verification for Social Media

Ofcom finalised requirements compelling major platforms to implement age verification for users under 18. Critics warned age verification inherently requires identity documentation, creating mass surveillance infrastructure and chilling anonymous speech. Implementation effectively requires platforms to collect and verify government-issued ID, creating a database of identity-linked internet usage for every UK user.

Tags

age-verificationsurveillanceanonymitychildrenidentity

Responsible Actors (2)

MD
Melanie Dawes
Ofcom (UK)
BK
Baroness Beeban Kidron
UK House of Lords / 5Rights Foundation

Sources

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/protecting-children/roadmap-for-childrenhttps://www.openrightsgroup.org/blog/age-verification-is-bad-for-free-expression/
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