The EU is going after TikTok and Meta over addictive algorithms and child safety failures
As always, Brussels is especially thinking about the children
Age verification articles
Kids are using fake mustaches, VPNs, and their parents' accounts to get around age verification
30% of surveyed UK children have bypassed age checks, and parents sometimes help them
VPN downloads surge in Australia after age checks hit porn sites, online games, and social media
The new rules affect everything from GTA Online to Pornhub
GTA Online players in Australia will soon face age checks under new R18+ gaming rules
New rules could require Aussie players to verify their age before logging in
This browser-based tool can fool facial age checks using 3D avatars
No install required: it runs in any modern web browser
Discord's age-check crackdown is already pushing users elsewhere
Users rebel as global verification rules demand facial scans and ID uploads
Discord will gate full access behind ID or face verification starting next month
Discord is rolling out age verification worldwide, requiring a face scan or ID for full access starting next month. New and unverified accounts will move to a "teen" setting by default. That means tighter content filters, and safer DM handling with warnings and separate inboxes for messages from unfamiliar users.
Australia's under-16 social media ban triggers confusion, workarounds, and privacy fears
In brief: Australia's world-first social media ban on users under the age of 16 has come into effect, with mixed results and varied reactions. As other countries observe the rollout, the new law continues to draw criticism due to concerns about privacy and effectiveness.
Pornhub calls on Apple and Google to build device-based age verification APIs
An anonymized age token offers stronger verification than online platforms that users can easily trick
Roblox will now restrict chat by age group, verified with selfie-based scans
Teens will be able to chat with vetted relatives
Italy jumps on the age verification bandwagon, requiring adults to prove they are adults
Increasing censorship is fueling a VPN boom
UK regulator fines 4chan $26,000 and counting under Online Safety Act
The message board has filed a lawsuit against the UK government
In brief: The UK has issued its first fine against a company in relation to the country's Online Safety Act (OSA). Controversial US image-hosting board 4chan has been fined £20,000 (around $26,000) for failing to protect children from harmful content, an amount that is increasing by £100 (approximately $133) every day.
Apple changes App Store policies to comply with new Texas age verification law
A growing trend with nearly 20 other states planning to follow suit
Hackers say they stole 2.1 million Discord ID photos in latest breach
Discord disputes claim, but is this proof age verification laws put user privacy at risk?
Age checks spread across the US as critics warn of privacy and free speech risks
Technology and legal challenges are complicating how online ages are verified
YouTube is using AI to verify user age based on viewing habits
When YouTube's AI makes an error, the responsibility to correct it falls on the user
Xbox adds age checks in UK to comply with Online Safety Act
Microsoft restricts Xbox social features in Britain as new law takes effect
Brits are circumventing UK age verification with VPNs and Death Stranding photos
Even Kojima didn't see this coming
Cutting corners: When the United Kingdom began strictly enforcing age verification rules on all adult websites, many predicted a spike in VPN usage – and provider Proton now has the data to prove it. But another unusual and amusing workaround has also emerged.
No porn for you, UK: Online Safety Act now requires age and ID checks on all adult sites
Bugger!
What just happened? Accessing adult material online in the UK changed dramatically today. The Online Safety Act's enforcement has expanded, introducing a broad range of rules that includes mandatory effective age-checking systems for pornography websites, which usually means handing over selfies or government IDs.
Roblox's new teen chat requires a selfie to verify age
Trusted Connections feature targets users 13 to 17
Reddit now requires UK users to upload a selfie or ID to access adult content
"UK users can no longer use the internet without having to provide their papers"
Pornhub withdraws from France as age verfication checks get too intrusive
Aylo says au revoir as French law kills the mood
Kansas woman sues porn sites after teenage son accessed adult content on old laptop
The sites are accused of violating a Kansas age-verification law
