age verification

A federal judge has blocked Utah's crackdown on VPNs, halting the state's effort to restrict access to virtual private networks. The ruling is being discussed in privacy, tech, and law circles as a win for digital privacy advocates who opposed the measure. Supporters of the law had argued it was needed to enforce age-verification rules, while critics said targeting VPNs would undermine online privacy for everyone.

TikTok has reached an agreement with Alabama, days before a scheduled trial, under which it must implement changes for teenagers in the state. These include a two-hour daily time limit, pauses after 15 minutes of continuous use, and stricter age verification checks. The deal is drawing attention as part of wider US scrutiny of social media's effects on young users, with some questioning why parents cannot set the limits themselves.

An opinion piece in the Albuquerque Journal argues that age verification requirements in video gaming raise significant privacy concerns for players. The commentary adds to a wider debate over identity checks required by gaming and online platforms, which critics say collect sensitive personal data and create risks of breaches or misuse.

The developer behind F-Droid, the open-source Android app repository, is publicly asking how the EU's proposed KIDS Act would affect free and open-source software. He notes the proposal does not appear to directly regulate projects like F-Droid, but reports hearing it might, raising concerns among free software advocates about age-verification rules covering app distribution.

UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is facing attention after the government confirmed that new social media age restrictions will take effect from March 2027, using an age-adaptive model rather than blanket bans. Critics have raised concerns about privacy and the use of biometric or age-verification technology, while supporters argue the rules will better protect children online.

TikTok has reached a settlement with the state of Alabama that could require the platform to verify the ages of all users, not just those suspected of being minors. The deal would expand age-assurance measures nationwide if adopted, part of ongoing state pressure over youth safety on social media.

Australia's digital ID system is not required to access social media platforms, according to a fact check published by Reuters. The claim circulated amid discussion of Australia's online safety rules, including its ban on social media use for under-16s, which has prompted speculation about age verification methods. The fact check clarifies that no digital ID requirement exists for social media access.