Protest Age/ID Verification

This is a blog dedicated to encouraging people to protest age/ID verification. Will sometimes reblog other issues too! Run by Mod Charlie. Age/ID verification will not protect kids. Instead, all it does is put kids' as well as adults' information into the hands of companies, then said data gets exposed in data breach after data breach (one prominent example being Discord's attempts at enforcing age/ID verification and then that info being exposed in data breaches). All age/ID verification does is put millions of both kids' and adults' identities in danger of being stolen by bad actors. There are also many other concerns, such as the government tracking you and your activity even more easily, essentially invading your privacy with a failed promise to protect kids (assuming that was even their intent in the first place). Bluesky account: @protest-id-verif.bsky.social

[protest-id-verification]

Proposal: Worldwide Mass Walkout Protest Against Age Verification

I'm proposing that we all protest the age/ID verification laws being forced upon everyone with a walkout protest. If lawmakers won't listen to us willingly, then we force them to listen. We ALL walk out and protest, all over the world.

Because this is something that doesn't just effect one state, one country. This is something that is slowly affecting all of us. These laws are a slowly boiling pot and we're all frogs. And yes, there are real dangers to age/ID verification. So many people have already been put in danger because of these laws.

Discord Voluntarily Pushes Mandatory Age Verification Despite Recent Data Breach

Discord has begun rolling out mandatory age verification and the internet is, understandably, freaking out. We’ve written extensively about

Age Verification Systems Are Surveillance Systems

Here’s the kicker: the technology being used to implement these mandates isn’t even up for the task. Age estimation and ID verification tech

But if we take a stand, ALL of us together, then we stand a chance to make them listen. We can't just stand idly by while the people in power slowly strip us of our rights. We can't stay silent, because if we stay silent, that's how they win.

You may feel like you're alone, but you're not. We're not alone. We have each other.

There are hundreds of millions people all over the world who want this bullshit to end just as much as you do.

And if you won't fight for yourself, at least fight for others. Fight for your friends, your family, your community. Fight for LGBTQ+ kids. Fight for kids trapped in cults (like the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Mormons). Fight for Black kids. Fight for Hispanic kids. Fight for Native American kids. Fight for LGBTQ+ adults. Fight for adults trapped in cults. Fight for Black adults. Fight for Hispanic adults. Fight for Native American adults. Fight for everyone all over the planet, because this is about all of us, not just one of us.

I believe that if we all work together, we can do this. Also please remember the bystander effect is a thing. Obviously if you're in a really tough spot where you desperately need to work or you could end up homeless or won't be able to afford food, etc., you don't need to participate, but for those of you in better living and working situations, please participate. Don't think that because there are other people on the planet also participating, that you don't need to, because chances are other people will also think the same thing, and then nothing gets done.

I hope that makes sense.

So here's what I'm proposing.

On May 10th starting 2:00 pm UTC, everyone (who can) all over the world, hold a walkout and/or don't show up to work and school entirely.

Those of you who feel safe to do so, please also protest in the streets.

Please also spread the word to other platforms, like YouTube, Instagram, Bluesky, twitter, facebook, Discord, Reddit, and so on. Please tell people irl, please make and put up posters (make sure said posters are in a spot where they're visible and are also not going to get taken down because of a law violation).

These sources are pretty good for how to prepare for and what to do during a protest:

Tips for Preparedness, Peaceful Protesting, and Safety

Safety and preparedness are essential in uncertain times. Whether you're preparing for an emergency or participating in a peaceful protest,

For quick reference, we've created a handy guide designed to be printed, folded, and carried in your pocket (PDF download). Now, more

(If you are not super tech savvy, it may be best to just leave your phone at home.)

After the protest starts on May 10th, it will last indefinitely, until lawmakers A) acknowledge the protest, B) admit they were wrong about age/ID verification protecting children, and C) rolling back laws enforcing age/ID verification.

No end date will be posted because we want to put pressure on lawmakers. We want to make them sweat. We don't want them thinking "if we hold out to x date, we don't have to do shit." I know this runs a risk of people losing their jobs, but we also risk losing even more of our rights. We risk living in surveillance states where our every movement is monitored. We risk living in countries where we're forced to give out identifying information that could then be stolen by people who could ruin our entire lives by impersonating us for god knows what.

If you can't participate but would still like to help in some way, here are some websites where you can protest some of the age/ID verification bills lawmakers are trying to pass. If you're participating, you can obviously still contribute via these websites as well.

Most of these bills are US based, but make sure to check the post notes in case people share links to similar bills lawmakers are trying to pass in other areas.

ONLINE ID CHECKS WILL RUIN THE INTERNET

Stop Online ID Checks in Massachusetts

New US Congress bill proposal requires all operating system providers to verify ages

We've covered here before on individual US states setting up their own age verification laws, and now a new US Congress bill has been propos

We're all in this together. Not just one state, not just one country. All of us. Every person on the planet. This isn't about borders, this isn't about who comes from where. This is about people.

This is about building a better future, not just for us, but those who come after. Because we matter. Because they matter.

I go on a bit of an emotional tangent here, so I am putting a "read more" section in case you don't wanna read all that /lh

The United Federation of Planets is a fictional government, and even it has its own set of problems. But in my mind, much of it is the ideal future for humanity.

Gene Roddenberry, even with all his flaws (and there were many), believed that too.

If we work together as one on this, without thinking about borders, without thinking about our personal biases, we can take a step towards building a better future like the one in Star Trek.

A future where all of humanity-- while not perfect, while still having its flaws, while still needing progress itself-- is mostly united. Not through force, but through wanting and working towards a better future of our own volition.

I've been thinking about rewatching the Deep Space Nine two-part episode "Past Tense." I think you all should too.

Another media that also matters a lot to me, and helped push me to make this post and this proposal, is Hazbin Hotel. I know, you're probably eye-rolling right now, but please humor me.

The message of Hazbin Hotel is that we can be better. We can do better. An incredibly similar message to Star Trek's.

And another part of Hazbin's message is that if we work together, we can be strong. We can make a real change.

It teaches us we can't just stand by and hope for the best. It teaches us that if we want change, we have to be the ones to make it.

But we don't have to do it alone. We don't exist in a vacuum, we exist on a planet with billions of other people. Together, we are stronger. And through that collective strength, we can make a difference for the better.

[hannahhook7744]

New York’s new “stop online predators act” could stop anyone under 18 from using messaging apps or chat functions in game

(because insolating kids from every last free space they have to talk to friends will totally keep them from predators).

“The bill requires platforms like Instagram, Discord, and gaming services with chat features to verify users’ ages and automatically apply privacy-by-default settings for anyone under 18”

“Platforms must:

Make minor profiles unsearchable.

Disable location sharing.

Block non-connections from initiating contact

(How are they supposed to add friends?)

For users under 13, even adding new friends requires parental approval.”

(Oh so kids can't add their friends if their parents hate that friend. Nice/s).

“Platforms must use “commercially reasonable methods” to verify ages—likely meaning uploading IDs or biometric checks, similar to how dating apps currently operate.

(even though they're constantly getting hacked and leaked, and not every adult is able to get an id easily. I.e disabled people/people with financial issues).

Once verified, the data gets deleted, but the privacy settings stick.

(Press F to doubt).

AI chatbots face particular restrictions, with platforms required to disable certain features for minors.

These AI-powered websites and features must now navigate new AI age laws.

Financial transaction controls also kick in, requiring parental oversight for in-app purchases.

(This one isn't too bad unless it's, you know, the kids money).

Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized the legislation “will help protect kids from predators, scammers and harmful AI chatbots.””

(it will also isolate them from friends, communities, and other spaces online that many kids use these days to be able to do just about anything, given there aren't many irl spaces where kids can just exist).

“Tech companies argue the requirements violate First Amendment protections while creating enforcement challenges.

The Computer and Communications Industry Association fired back with predictable constitutional concerns, arguing that “S 4609’s method violates the First Amendment’s prohibition on content-based speech restrictions.” Their objections highlight the classic tension between child safety and digital freedom—a debate that’s intensified as states move beyond federal protections.

Critics also point to practical enforcement challenges. The $5,000-per-violation penalty structure suggests serious enforcement intent, but implementation details remain unclear—potentially creating computer problems for platforms trying to comply.

This is part of a broader state-level push including New York’s SAFE for Kids Act.

If passed, expect other states to follow—and platforms to implement these restrictions nationally rather than maintain state-by-state compliance systems.”

New York's Online Safety Bill Won't Ban Teen Chats – Here's What It Really Does

New York's Stop Online Predators Act restricts stranger contact for teens while preserving friend chats, requiring age verification and priv

Bill Text (2026-04-01) Establishes the "stop online predators act"; requires operators of covered platforms to conduct age verification to d

[reasonsforhope]

Masterpost: Reasons I firmly believe we will beat climate change

Posts are in reverse chronological order (by post date, not article date), mostly taken from my "climate change" tag, which I went through all the way back to the literal beginning of my blog. Will update periodically.

Especially big deal articles/posts are in bold.

Big picture:

Mature trees offer hope in world of rising emissions (x)

Spying from space: How satellites can help identify and rein in a potent climate pollutant (x)

Good news: Tiny urban green spaces can cool cities and save lives (x)

Conservation and economic development go hand in hand, more often than expected (x)

The exponential growth of solar power will change the world (x)

Sun Machines: Solar, an energy that gets cheaper and cheaper, is going to be huge (x)

Wealthy nations finally deliver promised climate aid, as calls for more equitable funding for poor countries grow (x)

For Earth Day 2024, experts are spreading optimism – not doom. Here's why. (x)

Opinion: I’m a Climate Scientist. I’m Not Screaming Into the Void Anymore. (x)

The World’s Forests Are Doing Much Better Than We Think (x)

‘Staggering’ green growth gives hope for 1.5C, says global energy chief (x)

Beyond Catastrophe: A New Climate Reality Is Coming Into View (x)

Young Forests Capture Carbon Quicker than Previously Thought (x)

Yes, climate change can be beaten by 2050. Here's how. (x)

Soil improvements could keep planet within 1.5C heating target, research shows (x)

The global treaty to save the ozone layer has also slowed Arctic ice melt (x)

The doomers are wrong about humanity’s future — and its past (x)

Scientists Find Methane is Actually Offsetting 30% of its Own Heating Effect on Planet (x)

Are debt-for-climate swaps finally taking off? (x)

High seas treaty: historic deal to protect international waters finally reached at UN (x)

How Could Positive ‘Tipping Points’ Accelerate Climate Action? (x)

Specific examples:

Environmental Campaigners Celebrate As Labour Ends Tory Ban On New Onshore Wind Projects (x)

Private firms are driving a revolution in solar power in Africa (x)

How the small Pacific island nation of Vanuatu drastically cut plastic pollution (x)

Rewilding sites have seen 400% increase in jobs since 2008, research finds [Scotland] (x)

The American Climate Corps take flight, with most jobs based in the West (x)

Waste Heat Generated from Electronics to Warm Finnish City in Winter Thanks to Groundbreaking Thermal Energy Project (x)

Climate protection is now a human right — and lawsuits will follow [European Union] (x)

A new EU ecocide law ‘marks the end of impunity for environmental criminals’ (x)

Solar hits a renewable energy milestone not seen since WWII [United States] (x)

These are the climate grannies. They’ll do whatever it takes to protect their grandchildren. [United States and Native American Nations] (x)

Century of Tree Planting Stalls the Warming Effects in the Eastern United States, Says Study (x)

Chart: Wind and solar are closing in on fossil fuels in the EU (x)

UK use of gas and coal for electricity at lowest since 1957, figures show (x)

Countries That Generate 100% Renewable Energy Electricity (x)

Indigenous advocacy leads to largest dam removal project in US history [United States and Native American Nations] (x)

India’s clean energy transition is rapidly underway, benefiting the entire world (x)

China is set to shatter its wind and solar target five years early, new report finds (x)

‘Game changing’: spate of US lawsuits calls big oil to account for climate crisis (x)

Largest-ever data set collection shows how coral reefs can survive climate change (x)

The Biggest Climate Bill of Your Life - But What Does It DO? [United States] (x)

Good Climate News: Headline Roundup April 1st through April 15th, 2023 (x)

How agroforestry can restore degraded lands and provide income in the Amazon (x) [Brazil]

Loss of Climate-Crucial Mangrove Forests Has Slowed to Near-Negligable Amount Worldwide, Report Hails (x)

Agroecology schools help communities restore degraded land in Guatemala (x)

Climate adaptation:

Solar-powered generators pull clean drinking water 'from thin air,' aiding communities in need: 'It transforms lives' (x)

‘Sponge’ Cities Combat Urban Flooding by Letting Nature Do the Work [China] (x)

Indian Engineers Tackle Water Shortages with Star Wars Tech in Kerala (x)

A green roof or rooftop solar? You can combine them in a biosolar roof — boosting both biodiversity and power output (x)

Global death tolls from natural disasters have actually plummeted over the last century (x)

Los Angeles Just Proved How Spongy a City Can Be (x)

This city turns sewage into drinking water in 24 hours. The concept is catching on [Namibia] (x)

Plants teach their offspring how to adapt to climate change, scientists find (x)

Resurrecting Climate-Resilient Rice in India (x)

Edit 1/12/25: Yes, I know a bunch of the links disappeared. I'll try to fix that when I get the chance. In the meantime, read all the other stuff!!

Other Masterposts:

Going carbon negative and how we're going to fix global heating (x)

Podcasts and newsletters to subscribe to for more good news (x)