Privacy

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Why are so many European countries getting worried about encryption and/or age verification? Why now? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 2 days ago by zdhzm2pgp@lemmy.ml to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

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I can understand why governments would push for something like this after 9/11, though it of course goes without saying that this is a totally unacceptable violation of someone's basic rights. It also goes without saying that governments always want more control over their citizens, but what exactly are they so worried might happen, right now, in 2025 or the near future?

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[–] ell1e@leminal.space 22 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

For those here who didn't know specifics, as far as I know the EU has announced in July 2025 guidelines, set to come into effect until 2026, that seem to basically be the same as the UK online safety act:

https://www.eunews.it/en/2025/07/14/the-eu-launches-an-online-age-verification-app-pilot-project-in-five-member-states-including-italy/

https://www.mlex.com/mlex/articles/2368265/online-services-get-up-to-12-months-to-apply-age-verification-eu-guidelines-say

https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/dae/redirection/document/118226

These guidelines say, among other things, check the last link: "Where the provider of the online platform has identified medium risks to minors on their platform as established in its risk review [...] and those risks cannot be mitigated by less restrictive measures. The Commission considers this will be the case where the risk is not high enough to require access restriction based on age verification but not low enough that it would be appropriate to not have any access restriction [...]" And "Self-declaration is not considered to be an appropriate age-assurance measure as further explained below."

If you don't want the Online Safety Act in the EU, call or e-mail your representative now. If you enter your country here, it shows a list: https://fightchatcontrol.eu/#delegates As far as I can tell, unless it's reversed this will be coming soon. The clock is ticking.

[–] daniskarma@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

My representatives don't care. They want it. They are the ones thirsty for power. The only solution is to completely remove them from power. Any letter sent to them is nothing more than toilet paper for these people.

[–] ell1e@leminal.space 1 points 1 day ago

Still worth reminding them some of us will vote them out unless they walk this age check nonsense back. If thousands of people do so, it can be relevant.