The Global Threat of Mandatory Age Verification and Internet Access Restrictions

• Governments worldwide are implementing restrictive legislation requiring mandatory age verification or outright bans on social media for young users.
• These policies threaten the fundamental rights of all internet users to privacy, free expression, and due process by mandating the collection of sensitive personal data.

Global Legislative Landscape

• Australia: Enacted a total ban on social media for users under 16 in late 2025, with fines up to $32 million USD. Reddit is currently challenging the law in court.
• United Kingdom: Enforced the Online Safety Act, requiring platforms to assess risks to children and implement age checks for potentially harmful content.
• Indonesia: Minister Meutya Hafid announced the deactivation of accounts for users under 16 on major platforms like TikTok and Instagram as of March 28.
• Malaysia: Advancing plans to ban users under 16 from platforms with over 8 million domestic users, threatening non-compliant platforms with $2.5 million USD penalties.
• Brazil: Approved a law requiring age verification for services targeted at minors; full compliance is expected by 2027.
• European Union: Developing an interoperable age-verification "app" linked to the Digital Identity Wallet and debating mandates under the Digital Services Act.

Implications and Risks

• Data Security: Mandatory age verification forces all users to upload private documentation, such as face scans or passports, increasing the risk of surveillance and identity theft.
• Access to Information: Research indicates these bans prevent teenagers from accessing essential news and community resources.
• Rights Infringement: The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) argues that these measures restrict free speech and prioritize control over privacy, urging politicians to abandon data-heavy age verification models.