I am always wondering, if initiatives like these are a way to get a system in place that enables governments (by proxy of these platforms) a way to ensure any online activity is tied to a governmental id.
Because if you want to use these platforms this would mean you would have to prove your age.
Let the industry regulate itself until people get angry enough. Keep pumping out addictive, manipulative content that's targeted at kids. Then we can see what the political reaction will be. That's assuming the industry hasn't already blown its chances. If it has, then it can hang on for a few more years by buying favoritism from the regime in power.
Our choices seem to either be getting tracked by everyone & the likely government to get through age gates (see recent EFF on the ad-tracking infecting age-gates, https://bsky.app/profile/eff.org/post/3mciort6sir2p ), or perhaps only being able to use a small number of approved browsers that supports a nea Digital Credential API, that can maintain our security somewhat but which restricted browser choice heavily & cuts out open source offerings (not necessarily but likely). https://developer.chrome.com/blog/digital-credentials-api-or...
This is obviously the case, and I don't understand why anybody falls even a second for "it's for the children".
They don't give a flying fuck about the children, they want to have total control over the citizens because all westerns countries are more or less slowly slipping towards authoritarianism.
Dictatorships in 21st century first world country will be impossible to topple, once the government can reliably link your ID to your online activity, you'll be arrested before you even know you'll commit an anti-governmental act.
I genuinely don't understand how anyone can think it's anything other than governments trying to destroy online anonymity. "Think of the children" is a cliche for a reason.
CSAM is not an overstated problem. If anything the amount of child abuse behavior online is an epidemic. The world's richest man sells a CSAM generator, the most popular game for kids under 12, Roblox, is besieged with predators.
Are governments good at regulating technology? Generally no. Is there a real problem that needs to be regulated: Oh my God, yes.
Because if you want to use these platforms this would mean you would have to prove your age.
Then I ask myself if I am wearing my tinfoil hat?
Sadly, nowadays, I am just not sure anymore.