Bluesky Is Starting Age Verification in More States

Bluesky deploys age verification in the southern and wyoming Dakota states so that users have access the functionality such as messaging and adult content. This is in response to the new laws adopted in the two states that require platforms hosting “harmful” content to check the ages of their users.

This is not the first time that Bluesky has to face this kind of thing either. The company’s approach will reflect the one in the United Kingdom, where it also implemented age controls after the adoption of the country’s online security law. To make these checks, Bluesky uses the children’s web services of Epic Games (KWS), a third -party service specializing in age verification.

Residents of southern Dakota and Wyoming can choose from several methods to check their age, including identity analyzes or the use of a credit card. If you decide not to check your age, you can always use the service, but some features will be limited. The company said that this approach “establishes the right balance”.

It is a very different situation from what happened in Mississippi. Last month, Bluesky chose to fully block access to his service in this state rather than complying with a more restrictive law. The Mississippi law would have forced Bluesky to block all those whose age had not been confirmed, not only those which accessed specific features.

According to Bluesky, this would have required a massive investment in a solution which, according to them, “would limit freedom of expression and harm smaller platforms” in a disproportionate manner “. They chose to do darkness in Mississippi while this law is legally disputed.

The Mississippi law was much strict than those of the United Kingdom and now in southern Dakota and Wyoming. This would mean that the company totally agrees with the verification of age as a concept, but it has its limits on the distance. You can see how a small business like Bluesky, which is still developing, would find it difficult to build a brand new verification system from zero. It’s a huge burden, but would probably not be a problem for Facebook or Google.

This whole situation is also a sign of things to come. Currently, 25 states have already adopted a form of age verification law to access the content of adults, with even more ongoing legislation. Bluesky expects more of these regulations to appear in other states and even other countries in the near future.

The real verification of age was only a matter of time because the honor system did not work. I used to lie about my age that I prefer to choose an unreasonably old number on most sites than to put my real birthday. I am almost 100 years old on Steam and many other sites.

What is not fun is to abandon your personal information is why many people do not like these laws. You may get a safer online environment for children, but you may also have to give up more of your personal information just to access the services you already use.

Source: Bluesky