Tag

Age Verification

All articles tagged with #age verification

technology7 days ago•7 min saved

EU Kids Act Draws Sharp Criticism from Gaming Advocates and Fediverse Developers

The proposed EU Kids Act, introduced in September 2026, faces intense backlash from the video game industry and decentralized social media developers. Critics argue the legislation’s broad age verification requirements and restrictions on private servers could collapse the European gaming market and undermine the technical foundations of the Fediverse. While the law aims to protect minors through strict safety measures, opponents warn that its implementation is technically unfeasible for small-scale operators and fundamentally incompatible with open-source network architectures.

via Massively Overpowered|

#age-verification #eu-kids-act #mastodon

technology-and-policy9 days ago•13 min saved

EU Kids Act Sparks Backlash Over Age Verification and AI Safeguards

The European Commission's proposed EU Kids Act, introduced on September 17, 2026, has triggered a polarized debate across the gaming and digital rights sectors. While the 99-page proposal aims to protect minors from AI-driven harms and risky digital services through strict 'safety-by-design' mandates, critics argue it threatens to collapse the gaming market by mandating invasive age verification and banning private servers. Conversely, legal and medical experts contend that the legislation is a necessary, evidence-based response to documented online harms, though they urge a more nuanced approach to balancing privacy with protection.

via Kotaku|

#age-verification #ai-regulation #eu-kids-act

technology-and-policy9 days ago•16 min saved

EU KIDS Act Sparks Debate Over Age Verification and Online Gaming

The European Commission’s proposed KIDS Act aims to protect minors online but faces criticism for potentially restricting gaming and undermining privacy. The legislation, introduced in September 2026, mandates strict age verification and safety measures for digital services. While supporters view it as a necessary step against online harms, critics argue it imposes burdensome compliance on developers and infringes on fundamental rights.

via Notebookcheck|

#age-verification #digital-rights #eu-kids-act

technology10 days ago•15 min saved

Discord’s Revised Age Verification System Faces New Backlash and Technical Glitches

Discord has launched its second attempt at global age verification, replacing mandatory ID scans with an automated system that estimates user age based on account activity. While 90% of users are expected to be classified automatically without manual checks, the rollout has triggered significant user frustration due to technical bugs, incorrect age assignments, and a perceived lack of corporate seriousness. The platform now offers alternative verification methods, including credit card checks and Google Wallet integration, to comply with expanding global laws while attempting to address previous privacy concerns.

via kotaku.com|

#age-verification #data-security #discord

technology17 days ago•6 min saved

Discord Deploys Automated Age Sorting to Bypass ID Scans After Privacy Backlash

Discord is rolling out a global age-verification system that automatically estimates user ages based on account behavior, avoiding the need for ID scans or facial recognition for most users. This revised approach follows significant user backlash and a 2025 data breach involving third-party vendors. The system categorizes users into adult, teen, or unconfirmed groups, with over 90% expected to be classified automatically without manual verification.

via Ars Technica|

#age-verification #data-security #discord

technology17 days ago•0 min saved

Discord Launches Automated Age Sorting to Replace Controversial ID Scans

Discord has resumed its global age verification rollout, replacing mandatory ID scans and video selfies with an automated system that estimates user age based on account activity. The update, which excludes Australia and the UK, follows a February pause caused by privacy concerns and a third-party data breach. Approximately 90% of users will be automatically classified without manual verification, while teens face new restrictions on stranger interactions and sensitive content.

via Engadget|

#age-verification #data-security #discord

technology17 days ago•3 min saved

Discord Relaunches Age Verification with Automated Estimation to Avoid ID Scans

Discord has resumed its global age verification rollout, replacing mandatory ID scans and video selfies with an automated system that estimates user age based on account activity. This change follows significant privacy backlash and a data breach involving third-party vendors. The new approach aims to classify 90% of users automatically while offering alternative manual verification methods for those who need them.

via GamesIndustry.biz|

#age-verification #data-security #discord

technology17 days ago•2 min saved

Discord Relaunches Age Verification with Automated Estimation to Avoid ID Scans

Discord is rolling out a new global age-assurance system that automatically categorizes users as 'Adult' or 'Teen' based on account signals, avoiding the need for government ID scans. The update, which excludes Australia and the UK, follows a February pause caused by privacy concerns and a third-party data breach. Approximately 90% of users will be automatically classified without manual verification, while teens face new restrictions on stranger interactions and sensitive content.

via PCMag|

#age-verification #child-safety #data-privacy

world22 days ago•5 min saved

EU Proposes Age-Gated Social Media Rules for Under-15s

The European Commission unveiled the EU Kids Act to curb under-15s' use of social media across member states: under-13s would be banned outright, and 13–15-year-olds would be limited to one hour of access per day via mini accounts linked to a parent's social media. Platforms would have to prove safety-by-design or face fines up to 6% of global sales; age verification would use an EU app with no personal data collected. The act would override national laws and still needs approval from the EU Parliament, facing political hurdles and opposition, with some countries already pursuing their own restrictions.

via BBC|

#age-verification #children-safety #eu

technology23 days ago•4 min saved

EU sets age gates on social media and AI bots with 'Kids Act'

The EU plans a 'Kids Act' to bar social media, certain gaming platforms and AI chatbots from under-15s without parental supervision: under-13 only with parental oversight, 13–15 with parental controls and restrictions like time limits; platforms must verify user ages via an official app and face penalties up to 6% of global turnover for non-compliance. The rules supplement existing EU digital rules (AI Act, Digital Services Act) and come amid a broader push on AI safety, described by Ursula von der Leyen as addressing the 'second tipping point' of our time.

via Financial Times|

#age-verification #ai-regulation #eu-tech-regulation

technology25 days ago•3 min saved

Brussels unveils plan to shield under-15s online with the EU Kids Act

The European Commission is preparing the EU Kids Act to bar under-15s from creating accounts on social media and video-sharing platforms without parental approval, extend safety-by-design requirements to video games and AI chatbots, introduce an EU-wide age-verification system, and shift enforcement to tech companies, with the draft set to be published soon and broad European pressure for a harmonized rulebook.

via Euronews.com|

#age-verification #eu-kids-act #online-safety

policy26 days ago•2 min saved

EU Kids Act would require age checks for new online accounts across games and social platforms

The European Commission proposes the EU Kids Act to require age verification when opening new accounts on social media, video-sharing sites, online games, and AI chatbots, using an EU-provided age-check tool where possible, with a minimum autonomous-account age of 15 and a tiered system for younger users (0-3 blocked, 3-13 parent-controlled, 13-15 introductory, 15-18 autonomous if safe-by-design); the act also imposes a supervisory fee to fund enforcement and defines safe-by-design criteria, while excluding education, public authorities, and certain AI products.

via euractiv.com|

#age-verification #eu-kids-act #minors-safety

technology26 days ago•4 min saved

EU Proposes Age-Tiered Social Media Rules for Under-15s

The European Commission will unveil the EU KIDS Act to limit minors' access to social media and video-sharing platforms before age 15, introducing safe-by-design requirements and a tiered account system: under-13 accounts would be guardian-controlled, 13–15-year-olds would have restricted, supervised access with parental controls, and over-15 users could self-serve, alongside age-verification tech and education measures; enforcement would mirror the Digital Services Act and AI Act, with provisions for education, and the plan excludes educational tools, though negotiations are ongoing.

via politico.eu|

#age-verification #digital-services-act #eu-kids-act

technology1 month ago•32 min saved

EFF Pushes Newsom to Veto California's Youth Social Media Ban AB 1709

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is urging Governor Newsom to veto AB 1709, California’s proposed ban on social media use for anyone under 16. The group argues the bill would strip teens of basic platform tools like recommendation feeds and following features, effectively locking them out of online services, while pushing invasive age-verification and data collection. EFF contends the ban threatens privacy and free speech, offers little safety benefit, and could provoke lawsuits and conflicts with existing laws (AB 1043, SB 976).

via Electronic Frontier Foundation|

#ab1709 #age-verification #free-speech

technology1 month ago•2 min saved

California Grants Open-Source Exemption in Age-Verification Bill AB-1856

California’s AB-1856 passed the Assembly, exempting Linux distributions, BSDs, and other open-source platforms from the Digital Age Assurance Act’s age-verification rules; non-exempt software will require age collection from Jan 1, 2027, with exemptions clarifying that OS/app licenses permitting copying/modification and non-stand-alone app components in covered stores aren’t subject to the requirements.

via Phoronix|

#ab-1856 #age-verification #california