Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login
Censoring the Internet Won't Protect Kids (reason.com)
21 points by hn_acker 66 days ago | hide | past | favorite | 4 comments



If you have to know and prove the age of everyone using your site or product, does that not implicitly become an enforced identity system hiding behind the manipulative nature of this bill?

Two things the U.S. Government wants...

1) No encryption they are unable to break with or without the help from the company or people who created it

2) No online activity without tying that identity to a specific person

No anonymous internet for anyone. No encryption beyond what they can backdoor.

Everything else is an emotional manipulation designed to manufacture compliance among the public.


There a various attestation methods that have been used over the years. For example, some states have (or at least used to have) a drivers license that is in portrait orientation if you are under 21 and landscape orientation if you are older. A store clerk only needs to look at the photo to make sure it matches the holder and knows whether that person can buy beer or not.

A digital identity system could offer various attestations that reveal nothing about the user except that they are above a certain age or whatever else you care about. Login.gov could offer this as a service.


Easier solution? Children can't enter into contracts, so when they use your website you don't have any terms and conditions with them. Example: that arbitration clause? Worthless.

Now if you show that kid porn, you aren't an adult website that had a user violate the terms and conditions, you are just a guy showing kids porn. This can be mitigated in the eyes of the judge by taking means to prevent children from accessing the site like validating a via a credit card or checking ID.

Really the same standard a physical adult bookstore would be held to.


No, but holding social media companies liable for their promotion of objectively toxic content to children just might.




Consider applying for YC's W25 batch! Applications are open till Nov 12.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: