At least nine states across the U.S. are in agreement to force app providers to implement age verification and measures to ensure parental consent. The expectation of online verification extends to all big tech providers and services operating on the web, including pornographic sites.
Whilst a tide of age verification legislations have been introduced in states including Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii and Kentucky, other federal laws have been temporarily blocked by lawsuits, as tech companies argue who should be responsible for putting measures in place. Social media giants, Meta, Snapchat and Twitter, now rebranded as X, have said that app stores should shoulder the responsibility when users download their apps.
In the State of Louisiana, porn sites must redirect visitors from Louisiana to an age verification process before they can proceed onto the site. Governments are tightening the reins around tech companies when it comes to their safety protocols to manage the harmful content that exists in these forums and restrict access to over 18s only.
Governments around the world are closely monitoring that digital identity service providers develop the highest level login verification systems, as well as ensuring all companies use accredited and certified identity technology.
60 organisations have set up a coalition advocating for age verification laws called the Digital Childhood Alliance. The alliance advocates for legislation such as the App Store Accountability Act that encompasses full age verification, age ratings and parental consent.
