Meta has deactivated over 544,052 accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads belonging to users believed to be under 16, following Australia’s new social media ban, which went into effect in December. The ban, covering ten platforms, requires age verification, but the opposition claims implementation has been ineffective, with many accounts remaining active or migrating to other platforms. While Meta is complying, the company also expressed concerns about age verification methods and urged the government to collaborate with the industry. The ban is being closely monitored globally, with the UK also considering similar measures.
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A Texas federal judge issued a temporary block on Senate Bill 2420, the App Store Accountability Act, which would have mandated age verification for app downloads and parental consent for minors’ in-app purchases. The plaintiffs, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) and two high school students, argued that the law imposed unconstitutional content-based restrictions on speech and parental rights. Judge Robert Pitman sided with the plaintiffs, citing the law’s likely unconstitutionality, while also acknowledging the importance of child safety online. This decision follows a similar ruling earlier in the year that blocked parts of the SCOPE Act, further highlighting ongoing legal challenges to Texas’ efforts to regulate minors’ access to online content.
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A recent amendment proposed by a cross-party group of House of Lords Peers seeks to ban children in the UK from using VPNs. If enacted, VPN providers would be obligated to implement stringent age verification measures for all UK users, and the government would establish a monitoring regime to enforce compliance. This proposal aims to prevent children from circumventing age verification under the Online Safety Act. While supported by various Lords members, the amendment’s future remains uncertain as it requires approval from both the House of Lords and the House of Commons before becoming law.
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AP News reports that Denmark’s government has announced plans to ban social media access for anyone under 15, aiming to protect children from harmful online content and commercial interests. This move, which would be among the most restrictive in the EU, would allow some parents to grant access from age 13 after a specific assessment, but enforcement methods remain unclear. Minister for Digital Affairs Caroline Stage cited the high percentage of young children with social media profiles and the risks they face as driving forces behind the legislation. Denmark’s government plans to introduce an age-verification app, allowing them to ensure tech platforms comply with age restrictions, or face potential fines.
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Denmark announced a plan to implement a social media ban for children under 15, though the specific platforms and implementation details remain unclear. The bill would allow parental consent for social media use starting at age 13. This initiative follows Australia’s ban on social media for under-16s, and the EU’s proposal for an “age of digital adulthood.”
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Bluesky blocks access in Mississippi, citing free speech and privacy concerns over age verification law, and this is where we start, right at the heart of the matter. It seems Bluesky, a social media platform, has decided to shut off access to its services for users in Mississippi. Their reasoning? They’re taking a stand against a new state law mandating age verification for online platforms. The core of Bluesky’s argument revolves around two major concerns: the potential violation of free speech and the significant privacy implications of the age verification requirements. It’s a bold move, signaling a commitment to these principles, and it’s already sparking quite the conversation.… Continue reading
Following the implementation of new UK online safety rules, major adult content websites like Pornhub and XVideos experienced a significant 47% drop in traffic, with OnlyFans also seeing a decline. Data suggests that while compliant sites saw a decrease, less regulated pornography sites experienced an increase in visits. The new rules, enforced by Ofcom, require age verification methods such as credit card checks and photo ID matching. Consequently, VPN app downloads surged, potentially enabling users to bypass these restrictions and access content from different locations.
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YouTube is introducing a new age-verification system in the U.S., utilizing AI to determine viewers’ ages based on their viewing history. The system, which will initially affect a small portion of users, will impose age-appropriate restrictions if a viewer is identified as under 18, including limiting ad personalization and implementing content restrictions. Users can correct any misidentification through various verification methods. This initiative aims to enhance safety, following legal and political pressure to better protect minors online.
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The Supreme Court has sided with Texas in the case of *Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton*, upholding a law requiring age verification for adult websites. The court ruled that the First Amendment does not protect the right of adults to access content deemed obscene for minors without first providing proof of age, opening the door for similar age-gating measures nationwide. This decision, reached with a 6-3 majority, effectively revisits a 2004 ruling and attributes the change to advances in technology. The ruling highlights the absence of a strict scrutiny standard for age verification, potentially affecting privacy.
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The Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Texas law that mandates age verification, through government ID or face scan, for users accessing pornography websites. This 6-3 decision, along ideological lines, reinforces the state’s authority to prevent minors from accessing sexually explicit content. The law was challenged by adult entertainment sites who argued it violated free speech rights and could potentially impede adult access. Texas defended the law by referencing legal precedent regarding the protection of minors, while opponents raised concerns about privacy, security, and potential content restrictions.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood