EFF warns that age verification laws, ostensibly designed to restrict access to adult content, pose a serious threat to online privacy. While initially targeting pornography sites, these laws are expanding to encompass broader online activities, such as accessing skincare products, potentially requiring users to upload government IDs to third-party verification services. This creates a massive database of sensitive personal information vulnerable to breaches, government surveillance, and misuse by private companies, effectively turning age verification into a backdoor for widespread online monitoring. The EFF argues that these laws are overbroad, ineffective at their stated goals, and disproportionately harm marginalized communities.
Cloudflare is reportedly blocking access to certain websites for users of Pale Moon and other less common browsers like Basilisk and Otter Browser. The issue seems to stem from Cloudflare's bot detection system incorrectly identifying these browsers as bots due to their unusual User-Agent strings. This leads to users being presented with a CAPTCHA challenge, which, in some cases, is unpassable, effectively denying access. The author of the post, a Pale Moon user, expresses frustration with this situation, especially since Cloudflare offers no apparent mechanism to report or resolve the issue for affected users of niche browsers.
Hacker News users discussed Cloudflare's blocking of Pale Moon and other less common browsers, primarily focusing on the reasons behind the block and its implications. Some speculated that the block stemmed from Pale Moon's outdated TLS/SSL protocols creating security risks or excessive load on Cloudflare's servers. Others criticized Cloudflare for what they perceived as anti-competitive behavior, harming browser diversity and unfairly impacting users of niche browsers. The lack of clear communication from Cloudflare about the block drew negative attention, with users expressing frustration over the lack of transparency and the difficulty in troubleshooting the issue. A few commenters offered potential workarounds, including using a VPN or adjusting browser settings, but there wasn't a universally effective solution. The overall sentiment reflected concern about the increasing centralization of internet infrastructure and the potential for large companies like Cloudflare to exert undue influence over web access.
Summary of Comments ( 220 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43292820
HN commenters express concerns about the slippery slope of age verification laws, starting with porn and potentially expanding to other online content and even everyday purchases. They argue that these laws normalize widespread surveillance and data collection, creating honeypots for hackers and potentially enabling government abuse. Several highlight the ineffectiveness of age gates, pointing to easy bypass methods and the likelihood of children accessing restricted content through other means. The chilling effect on free speech and the potential for discriminatory enforcement are also raised, with some commenters drawing parallels to authoritarian regimes. Some suggest focusing on better education and parental controls rather than restrictive legislation. The technical feasibility and privacy implications of various verification methods are debated, with skepticism towards relying on government IDs or private companies.
The Hacker News post "Age Verification Laws: A Backdoor to Surveillance," linking to an EFF article about age verification requirements for online pornography and even skin cream, sparked a lively discussion with numerous comments. Several key themes and compelling arguments emerged.
A significant number of commenters expressed deep concerns about the privacy implications of age verification systems. They argued that requiring users to submit identification to access certain websites creates a massive database of sensitive personal information vulnerable to breaches, abuse by government agencies, and exploitation by malicious actors. Some highlighted the potential for this data to be used for blackmail, harassment, or even persecution based on browsing history. The chilling effect on free speech and access to information was also mentioned, as users might self-censor their online activities knowing they are being tracked.
Several commenters drew parallels to other forms of online surveillance and censorship, arguing that age verification requirements are just another step towards a more controlled and monitored internet. Some saw this as a slippery slope, fearing that these requirements could eventually expand to encompass a wider range of online content and services.
There was debate about the effectiveness of age verification in actually protecting children. Some commenters were skeptical that these measures would be successful in preventing minors from accessing restricted content, suggesting that tech-savvy children would find ways to circumvent the restrictions. They argued that the focus should be on education and parental controls rather than blanket surveillance.
The technical aspects of age verification systems were also discussed. Commenters raised concerns about the security and reliability of these systems, questioning the ability of companies to properly store and protect user data. The potential for false positives and the difficulties faced by individuals who lack government-issued identification were also highlighted.
A few commenters offered alternative solutions, such as utilizing privacy-preserving technologies like zero-knowledge proofs or decentralized identity systems. Others suggested focusing on content filtering and empowering users with more control over their online experience.
Finally, some comments touched upon the potential legal challenges to age verification laws, with some expressing hope that these measures would be challenged on constitutional grounds.
Overall, the comments on Hacker News reflected a widespread apprehension about the potential consequences of age verification laws, with many expressing concerns about privacy, security, and the erosion of online freedoms. The discussion highlighted the complex trade-offs involved in balancing the protection of children with the preservation of individual privacy and freedom of expression.