How Child Safety Laws Are Changing the Internet

"Age verification is spreading across social media sites in an effort to protect children online, but some experts warn it could come with serious privacy risks. The emerging "gated internet" relies on third-party vendors for ID and facial-recognition checks. These companies may process and store sensitive data, potentially exposing users to hackers."

Social media platforms are implementing age verification systems to protect children online, but this approach introduces significant privacy concerns. These verification mechanisms rely on third-party vendors who conduct identity and facial-recognition checks. The involvement of external companies in processing and storing sensitive personal data creates potential security vulnerabilities. Users face exposure to data breaches and hacking incidents as these vendors handle confidential information. The emerging "gated internet" model prioritizes child safety while simultaneously creating new risks related to data privacy and security for all users.

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