Opinion by: Boris Bohrer-Bilowitzki, CEO of Concordium
The recent efforts to safeguard minors from adult content have been crucial. Now implemented in the UK, this movement is gaining traction across other European nations and the US, bringing similar constraints.
However, as websites introduce age verification software, challenges have emerged. Users frequently evade the process or seek out less compliant alternatives. As a result, the uptake of this new system is limited, leaving minors exposed to risks.
Current identity verification protocols fall short. Adult users need assurance that their identity remains protected while preventing minors from accessing inappropriate content. Outdated methods like photo uploads or credit card checks are ineffective. A new approach that merges anonymity with verified identity is essential.
A well-meaning initiative with flawed implementation
Understanding the significance of regulations like the Online Safety Act is crucial, especially given the easy online access to inappropriate material for minors. With over 50% of children encountering harmful content, proactive measures by governments are vital.
The implementation phase has proved challenging. Age verification measures have driven users to find ways around them. The staggering 1,800% increase in VPN downloads illustrates users’ attempts to bypass verification.
Related: ZKPs can prove I’m old enough without telling you my age
This situation benefits no one. Websites cannot ensure their content is inaccessible to minors, compromising legislation aimed at online safety. Simultaneously, those avoiding compliant sites may turn to untrustworthy providers, exposing themselves to significant security and legal vulnerabilities.
Blending privacy with verification
Why do users shy away from verification software even when they meet the legal age? The core issue is privacy. Adults expect their identity to remain secure. Although current age verification methods claim anonymity, the requirement for personal information can raise alarms.
Existing verification processes are overly susceptible to hacks and scandals. Retail giants and mobile providers alike are not immune; even the most sophisticated systems are at risk. As a result, adult content websites have become prime targets for cyberattacks. No matter how robust the protocols, it’s likely a security breach will eventually occur.
Personalized age verification
The Web3 landscape holds potential as a solution. Achieving the right equilibrium between privacy and identity verification is crucial. A blockchain framework can enable controlled access while safeguarding user privacy.
This necessitates users confirming their identity through an accredited identity provider. Their verified status can be cryptographically linked to their blockchain address—rather than their name or image—using zero-knowledge proofs. This grants identity verification across various services without third parties needing access to sensitive data.
Users can demonstrate their age without revealing their identity to the respective site. This concept extends beyond adult content, applicable to areas like gambling and trade finance. Since identity verification exists independently of the blockchain, users are not compromising their personal data. The verification process is made efficient while providing confidence that individual information is secure.
Ensuring compliant privacy
When necessary, protocols can be established to allow limited access to user identity. Law enforcement could have measures in place to trace blockchain accounts back to verified identities, ensuring that malicious actors can be held accountable in extreme situations. By using blockchain for identity verification, a balance can be struck between protecting the privacy of law-abiding citizens and ensuring accountability for those wishing to do harm.
There is no doubt that age verification is essential in an era awash with unrestricted content. Getting users to accept this process will be challenging if it relies on antiquated practices. Utilizing blockchain technology isn’t about dodging age verification or debating the broader issues of online safety. It’s a push towards a more effective system that facilitates user adoption of new requirements.
The current wave of regulation should teach us that digital anonymity and safety can coexist. Balancing both calls for a rethinking of online identity management—not as a surveillance mechanism, but as a selective, user-directed signal.
Creating a better online experience will necessitate collaboration between governments and businesses to move past mere compliance and design systems that align with users’ desires to engage online: securely, privately, and with agency.
Opinion by: Boris Bohrer-Bilowitzki, CEO of Concordium.
This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.
