Government must stop restricting website access with laws requiring age verification. Some advocates of these censorship schemes argue we can nerd our way out of the many harms they cause to speech, e...
Read Full Article »Face Scans to Estimate Our Age: Harmful and Creepy AF
Discussion Points
- The Inaccuracy and Discriminatory Nature of Age Estimation Technology: Is the risk of inaccuracy and discrimination with age estimation technology sufficient to outweigh any potential benefits of restricting website access through age verification laws?
- The Creepiness and Potential Misuse of Face Scans: Can face scans ever be truly private, or do they inherently pose a threat to individuals' autonomy and dignity? How can we balance the need for online safety with the risks associated with advanced surveillance technologies?
- The Broader Implications for Online Freedoms and Censorship: Where do we draw the line between protecting minors from mature content and infringing upon adult users' rights to free expression and access to information? Can government-mandated age verification laws be a slippery slope towards further censorship?
Summary
Government-imposed age verification requirements through face scans are fundamentally flawed, as they rely on inaccurate and discriminatory "age estimation" technology. This approach risks denying adults access to legitimate online resources while unfairly targeting specific demographics.
Moreover, the underlying tech can be repurposed for identity and demographic estimation, exacerbating infosec threats and perpetuating biases. Rather than normalizing this hazardous technology, governments should focus on strengthening online safety measures that prioritize transparency, user consent, and nuanced approaches to content regulation – one that balances protection with respect for users' rights and freedoms.