The Age Verification Onslaught: How 2025 Changed the Internet – And What’s Coming Next
2025 will be remembered as the year age verification moved from the fringes of internet policy to a widespread reality. Half the United States now mandates some form of age check for accessing online content, from adult websites to social media platforms. While courts have struck down some of the most aggressive measures, the trend is clear: the internet is becoming increasingly policed, and the implications for privacy, free speech, and security are profound.
The Illusion of Safety: Why Age Verification Doesn’t Work
The driving force behind these laws is, ostensibly, online safety for children. However, mounting evidence demonstrates that age verification doesn’t achieve this goal. Instead, it simply pushes users – including young people – towards less regulated and potentially more dangerous corners of the web. Research from the New York Center for Social Media and Politics and the Phoenix Center confirms this, showing a surge in searches for offshore sites and a dramatic increase in VPN usage (over 1,150% in Florida after its law took effect) as users circumvent restrictions.
As the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has consistently argued, the internet “routes around censorship.” Blocking access in one location simply encourages users to find alternative pathways. This creates a cat-and-mouse game that benefits malicious actors who operate outside the law.
Beyond Adult Content: The Expanding Scope of Age Verification
The initial focus on adult content was just the beginning. In 2025, lawmakers began targeting social media platforms, proposing laws requiring age verification and parental consent for users under 18. California’s AB 1043, for example, shifts the responsibility for age verification to operating system providers and app stores, creating a systemic check at the device level. This broadens the scope of surveillance significantly.
This expansion isn’t limited to social media. Bills have been proposed to require ID checks for skincare products, diet supplements, and even access to AI chatbots. The trend suggests a growing desire to control online access across a wide range of activities, raising serious concerns about government overreach.
The Rise of Device-Level Verification and the Surveillance State
The move towards device-level age verification is particularly alarming. By requiring operating systems and app stores to verify users’ ages, these laws create a centralized point of control and a massive database of personal information. This data could be vulnerable to breaches, misuse, and government surveillance. It also fundamentally alters the anonymity that has long been a cornerstone of the internet.
Furthermore, the effectiveness of these systems is questionable. Age verification technologies rely on various methods, including ID scanning, facial recognition, and data brokers. Each method has its flaws and potential for error, leading to false positives and the denial of access to legitimate users.
Legal Battles and Regulatory Hurdles: The Fight Continues
Despite the rapid spread of age verification laws, the legal fight is far from over. Courts have blocked several laws on First Amendment grounds, recognizing that they violate users’ right to free speech. Lawsuits challenging Texas’s SB 2420 and California’s AB 1043 are ongoing, arguing that the burdens placed on platforms and users outweigh any potential benefits.
Regulatory processes are also proving to be a battleground. States like California and New York are currently developing rules to implement their age verification laws. The EFF and other advocacy groups are actively participating in these processes, raising concerns about privacy, security, and discriminatory impacts.
What’s on the Horizon for 2026 and Beyond?
The momentum behind age verification shows no signs of slowing down. Here’s what we can expect in the coming years:
- Increased Litigation: Expect more legal challenges to age verification laws, focusing on First Amendment rights, privacy concerns, and due process.
- Expansion to New Sectors: Lawmakers will likely continue to expand the scope of age verification to new areas, including e-commerce, online gaming, and access to information.
- Technological Arms Race: As age verification technologies become more sophisticated, users will develop new ways to circumvent them, leading to a continuous cycle of innovation and counter-innovation.
- Focus on VPNs and Encryption: Governments may attempt to restrict or ban the use of VPNs and encryption technologies to prevent users from bypassing age verification measures.
- International Implications: The US trend towards age verification could influence policy debates in other countries, leading to a global shift towards greater online regulation.
FAQ: Age Verification and Your Online Rights
- What is age verification? Age verification refers to any method used to confirm a user’s age online. This can include ID scanning, facial recognition, knowledge-based authentication, or data broker checks.
- Is age verification legal? The legality of age verification laws is currently being debated in courts. Some laws have been blocked, while others remain in effect.
- Does age verification protect children? Evidence suggests that age verification does not effectively protect children and may even push them towards more dangerous online spaces.
- What can I do to protect my privacy? Use a VPN, consider privacy-focused browsers and search engines, and be cautious about sharing personal information online.
- Where can I learn more? Visit the EFF’s Age Verification Resource Hub at EFF.org/Age.
The fight for a free, open, and private internet is more critical than ever. Staying informed, advocating for your rights, and supporting organizations like the EFF are essential steps in protecting the digital future.
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