HN

Comments (163)

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  nirui
  In case people no longer remember, when China started to require websites to register for a license before be allowed to operate, it was for "protecting the children" too.This simple policy then goes on to silence most individual publisher(/self-media) and consolidated the industry into the hands of the few, with no opportunity left for smaller entrepreneurs. This is arguably much worse than allowing children to watch porn online, because this will for sure effect people's whole life in a negative way.Also, if EU really wants "VPN services to be restricted to adults only", they should just fine the children who uses it, or their parent for allowing it to happen. The same way you fine drivers for traffic violation, but not the road.And if EU still think that's not enough, maybe they should just cut the cable, like what North Korea did.
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  qnpnpmqppnp
  This title seems misleading.The EP paper appears to be highlighting the existence of a debate regarding VPN.Relevant quote:"Some argue that this is a loophole in the legislation that needs closing and call for age verification to be required for VPNs as well. In response, some VPN providers argue that they do not share information with third parties and state that their services are not intended for use by children in the first place. The Children's Commissioner for England has called for VPNs to be restricted to adult use only.While privacy advocates argue that imposing age-verification requirements on VPNs would pose significant risk to anonymity and date protection, child-safety campaigners claim that their widespread use by minors requires a regulatory response. Pornhub and other large pornography platforms have reportedly lost web traffic following the enforcement of age-verification rules in the UK, while VPN apps have reached the top of download rankings."Of course I'm not saying the EU won't regulate VPNs, but nowhere in this paper is "the EU" stating that VPNs need closing.
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  donmcronald
  I think all the identity verification schemes should start with the beneficial owners of companies. Governments have been lobbied to allow complete anonymity for the wealthy that own businesses doing questionable things while regular people are going to have to show id to buy food.
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  chii
  How come tax loopholes aren't as scrutinized?Mandatory age verification online is a blight imho. It should be outlawed.
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  harvey9
  The people who really want to stop VPNs are commercial streamers, especially for live sports. Regardless of state, or governing party, it always comes back to money.
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  thunderbong
  I have a question that's been going through my mind -Why is age verification connected with identity verification?I understand why the former is not possible with the latter, but my question is -Whichever entity is responsible for the verification can just pass on the age verification confirmation without passing through any of the other details, right?Am I mistaken here? Because if this was possible, I could still go ahead with using the VPN.
• 0x073
  There was a time that parents control what websites children can access.Now there is a time politicians control what websites we can access.
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  rswail
  Governments already have everyone's ID, including DOB. They say that the problem is non-adults accessing adult sites and services. So therefore, the sites need to know that users are over 18 (or the selected government age).There should be a standardized government ID service/API that allows a person to let it disclose their age (or other user selected information) to a requesting site/service. That's all that is needed if the government ID service has appropriate 2FA and security.Both the request and the response can be appropriately anonymized so that the government doesn't know the site, and the site doesn't know the person's identity.Why isn't this a thing yet? As far as I know, no one has proposed it.
• 9753268996433
  North Korea calls VPNs “a loophole that needs closing” in age verification push
• dragonelite
  The western great fire wall is reducing its scope..
• kro
  VPN usage increased, but how to they draw the conclusion that this is children. I think it's more likely that adults are using VPNs to not have to deal with the ID process. I would do that.As VPNs usually cost some money, which is already a barrier for minors.
• postepowanieadm
  Currently Governments use the EU to enforce their unpopular/bad ideas.What we must remember is that the EU is a process, not organisation. I think at this point, with rampant and unpunished corruption, lies and deception it's reasonable to take a step back and reconsider the Commission's role and citizens participation. Also, unanimity has to go, but in a way that would secure voices of smaller states (square root was a god idea) involve not only government representatives but also citizens.
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  pveierland
  Age restrictions + VPN bans + encryption restrictions + client-side monitoring + restricting general purpose computing.. It's just rapid descent into digital fascism set up by people who have no ability to see how the dots will end up connecting.
• sev_verso
  VPNs are essential tools against government persecution. Linking identity to a VPN session under any guise (age verification or otherwise) is something out of the playbook of dictatorial states.
• ogogmad
  ὦ Ευρώπη, this would kick off an arms race. μολὼν λαβέ!
• spacedoutman
  We desperately need a new internet
• FrustratedMonky
  If my kid can setup a VPN, then he's old enough.
• LightBug1
  Over my dead internet connection.VPN for the VPN with a back-up VPN for the VPN's VPN.
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  JV00
  Perhaps these legislators are addicted to porn and don't want their children to do to themselves the same they have done. Would explain their obsession and relentlessness to get this done.It's just a pity they are destroying the internet while doing that. They should be attacking the companies making money from porn instead.And by the way porn can damage your mind even after 18 so age verification is not a real solution anyway.
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  applfanboysbgon
  Ah yes, the most pressing issue of our times. Mandatory surveillance of every person's activities is a reasonable solution to the critical issue of teenagers watching porn, who totally won't be able to bypass this by... grabbing Dad's phone.Obviously, it's not about the children. It was never about the children. If I had my way every one of these people would be taken to a gulag, because they are evil, have evil intentions, and blatantly lie to further their evil goals. I am tired of the intolerant being tolerated, and by allowing this to fester we are headed for a much worse totalitarian dystopia.
• shevy-java
  The lobbyists are doing what they are paid to do.People pointed that out quite a while ago already. Age sniffing is a joint attack on the freedoms of people, which explains why these lobbyists also try to abolish VPNs. Their vision for the world wide web is one of authorization. Ultimately they will fail, but a few get rich here in the process.
• Havoc
  Tiresome surveillance state push
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  SilverElfin
  Ugh. Here we go again. Europe’s politicians just cannot stop with wanting to control everyone and everything. It’s as if bureaucracy is the actual goal. Privacy and anonymity should be protected by law. Not violated by law.
• oneshtein
  Yet another «copy protection».Legislation must call real experts before making any *technical* decisions.
• Joel_Mckay
  Sounds more like they should have sand-boxed white-listed school networks for known publishers in each age group.Then leave the rest of the world out of domestic failed parenting nonsense. However, policy would still likely fail given the cruelty youthful ignorance often brings, and persistent 1:100 child psychopath occurrence rates. =3
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  rdm_blackhole
  Here we go again with new restrictions on civil liberties. This is Chat Control all over again.The EU won't stop until it has access to all your data, all your messages, anything you read, save, send will be scrutinized by the the big great EU and it's little minions.Hey, at least we get the freedom of movement right?
• redsocksfan45
  [dead]
• lifestyleguru
  They EU authorities care for children so much that they haven't noticed almost none are being born anymore in EU.