I'm in favour of keeping kids away from nasties on the Internet but the implications of Age Verification hadn't ocurred to me. I had a message come up that Google had "changed some settings on my acccount" (I wasn't aware I have an account with Google, I just use it) as they didn't know if I was an adult. My access is presumably restricted to things AI thinks are suitable for an under 16 unless I provide the "proof" they ask for.
I'm now wondering how/if this increased duty of care mandated by the Government to protect children will actually affect my Internet use. I do have a Facebook account which I rarely use other than to occasionally check my brother's page.
I don't use Snapchat, X or other wellknown Social Media sites. I do sometimes look at something on Utube. I had a look at what Google require for Age Verification and it is mostly things I don't have such as a passport, a credit card or my driving license (which I will not be renewing as I haven't driven in nearly 30 years). There is the option of a selfie and my laptop does have an inbuilt camera (which I have never used and keep the shutter closed). I don't know what a site such as Facebook might require. Will such sites demand age verification on every visit? Google says it will destroy the image of the "proof" once they have checked, so logically, they should. How long will it take their 3rd parties and algorythms to decide if a user fulfils the age criteria?
AI is incredibly stupid (at its current level of ability anyway) and who knows for what it might demand age verification. Will this, an over 50s site, have to start asking for it to ensure a 15 year old doesn't accidentally or out of curiosity try to access it? After all, they might learn some home truths if they did - and that would surely traumatise the little darlings.
