Online Privacy
Ongoing coverage on Online Privacy.
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The KIDS bill moving through Congress prompts concerns about stifled speech and intrusive age verification
The Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (KIDS Act) has passed the House of Representatives, proposing new regulations for online video games concerning child safety and communication. Opponents raise concerns about mandatory age verification, potential stifling of free speech, and the removal of a 'duty of care' provision, despite the bill's stated aim of protecting minors.
White House takes aim at internet anonymity while stripping states of power
The Trump administration is reportedly negotiating with senators to advance bills that could impact internet anonymity and online privacy, including the Kids Online Safety Act and the NO FAKES Act. The administration also aims to implement age-verification mandates and establish federal precedent for regulating AI data centers, potentially overriding state-level control.
An internet anonymity ban is being considered - looks like it's almost VPN o'clock
Greece's Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou, is considering a ban on internet anonymity to combat online toxicity. The author argues that this measure, while seemingly simple, will not solve the root causes of hate speech and will negatively impact legitimate users seeking privacy for personal safety or community support. The article also highlights the continued availability of VPN services like NordVPN for maintaining online privacy.
You're about to lose your Instagram privacy, so you might want to grab a VPN
Meta is discontinuing end-to-end encryption on Instagram, raising concerns about user online privacy. This change highlights the importance of tools like VPNs for protecting personal data.
COPPA 2.0 passes the Senate again, unanimously this time
The US Senate has unanimously passed the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0), which aims to enhance online protections for minors by preventing platforms from collecting their personal data without consent. This bipartisan bill, a modernized version of the 1998 act, seeks to address current online activities like targeted advertising. While it has passed the Senate multiple times, it has yet to clear the House of Representatives, facing opposition from industry groups like NetChoice.