cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/49729865
However you look at it age verification is a major change to the internet and our freedoms.
We’ve seen all kinds of legislation pushed through in the past, often even against major resistance.
What makes me suspicious this time is the speed at which some of the slowest bureaucracies in the world are adopting it and how it’s happening in 20+ countries in parallel.
It’s like they’re all in a group chat, fast-tracking this before resistance can even form.
The whole privacy debate aside, why the fuck can we not agree on one age?
France wants 15, in Germany 13 was floated, elsewhere it’s 16. Wtf are we doing here
Countries don’t agree on the appropriate age to drink alcohol, or drive a car, why would they agree on this?
Because its all snake oil thats based on nothing. It will always be 13-18 as this is the area they can get away with - teenagers will be the sacrificial lamb where all the focus will be brought towards children.
But why are teenagers included? Because they have greater ambitions than just children. And every one of these states has their own fascist strategy for totalitarianism.