The KIDS Act would require age checks to get online(eff.org)
516 points by bilsbie 1 day ago | 421 comments
tl;dr: Congress is fast-tracking the KIDS Act, a bundle that combines a revised KOSA with bills like SAFE BOTS and SCREEN, imposing liability whenever platforms "knew or should have known" a user is a minor—effectively forcing age verification (via ID or facial scans) for all users despite disclaimers to the contrary. The package also pressures platforms to moderate broad categories of lawful speech (addiction, gambling, fraud discussions) and contains encryption carve-outs with loopholes that could undermine private and ephemeral messaging.
HN Discussion:
  • International coordination suggests special interest lobbying behind global internet lockdown push
  • Citizens should contact representatives to oppose the bill
  • Research doesn't actually support claims that social media harms kids' mental health
  • Mandatory ID disclosure online contradicts longstanding privacy advice
  • The bill's scope may be narrower than claimed, excluding many sites like HN