EFF Warns UK Under-16 Social Media Ban Would Force ID Checks on Millions
Updated
Updated · Hackaday · Jun 21
EFF Warns UK Under-16 Social Media Ban Would Force ID Checks on Millions
3 articles · Updated · Hackaday · Jun 21
Summary
Britain’s proposed law would bar under-16s from social media and restrict under-18s, with access enforced through online ID verification that would also apply to adults using large parts of the internet.
EFF says the plan trades child-safety goals for a broad privacy risk, arguing any age-checking system would likely rely on third-party verification providers and create valuable databases vulnerable to abuse or breaches.
The group also argues the restrictions could cut young people off from friends, family, communities and educational material rather than “give under-16s their childhood back,” while determined users may simply bypass controls.
A reported VPN crackdown would widen the fight beyond social platforms, underscoring concerns that the policy could reshape internet access in the UK far beyond its stated focus on children.