Latest news with #SamirJain
The Hill
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hill
What to know about online age verification laws
The Supreme Court has upheld a Texas law aimed at blocking children under 18 from seeing online pornography by requiring websites to verify the ages of all visitors. Many states have passed similar age verification laws in an attempt to restrict access to adult material from minors, but digital rights groups have raised questions about such laws' effects on free speech and whether verifying ages by accessing sensitive data could violate people's privacy. The law requires websites hosting pornographic material to verify the ages of users in hopes of stopping those under 18 from visiting. Adults would need to supply websites with a government-issued ID or use third-party age-verification services. The law carries fines of up to $10,000 per violation — fined against the website — that could be raised to up to $250,000 per violation by a minor. Texas has argued that technology has improved significantly in the last 20 years, allowing online platforms to easily check users' ages with a quick picture. Those requirements are more like ID checks at brick-and-mortar adult stores that were upheld by the Supreme Court in the 1960s, the state said. However, internet service providers, search engines and news sites are exempt from the law. It's already illegal to show children pornography under federal law, however it's rarely enforced. But various measures already exist to verify a person's age online. Someone could upload a government ID or consent to the use facial recognition software to prove they are the age they say they are. Websites and social media companies such as Instagram parent company Meta have argued that age verification should be done by the companies that run app stores, such as Apple and Google, and not individual apps or websites. Critics, such as Pornhub have argued that age-verification laws can be easily circumvented with well-known tools such as virtual private networks (VPNs) that reroute requests to visit websites across various public networks. Questions have also been raised about enforcement, with Pornhub claiming those efforts would drive traffic to less-known sites that don't comply with the law and have fewer safety protocols. Though heralded by social conservatives, age verification laws have been condemned by adult websites who argue they're part of a larger anti-sex political movement. They've also garnered opposition from groups that advocate for digital privacy and free speech, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation. The group has argued that it is impossible to ensure websites don't retain user data, regardless of whether age verification laws require they delete it. Samir Jain, vice president of policy at the nonprofit Center for Democracy & Technology, said the court's decision on age verification 'does far more than uphold an incidental burden on adults' speech. It overturns decades of precedent and has the potential to upend access to First Amendment-protected speech on the internet for everyone, children and adults alike.' 'Age verification requirements still raise serious privacy and free expression concerns,' Jain added. 'If states are to go forward with these burdensome laws, age verification tools must be accurate and limit collection, sharing, and retention of personal information, particularly sensitive information like birthdate and biometric data.'
San Francisco Chronicle
5 days ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
What to know about online age verification laws
The Supreme Court has upheld a Texas law aimed at blocking children under 18 from seeing online pornography by requiring websites to verify the ages of all visitors. Many states have passed similar age verification laws in an attempt to restrict access to adult material from minors, but digital rights groups have raised questions about such laws' effects on free speech and whether verifying ages by accessing sensitive data could violate people's privacy. What is the Texas law? The law requires websites hosting pornographic material to verify the ages of users in hopes of stopping those under 18 from visiting. Adults would need to supply websites with a government-issued ID or use third-party age-verification services. The law carries fines of up to $10,000 per violation — fined against the website — that could be raised to up to $250,000 per violation by a minor. Texas has argued that technology has improved significantly in the last 20 years, allowing online platforms to easily check users' ages with a quick picture. Those requirements are more like ID checks at brick-and-mortar adult stores that were upheld by the Supreme Court in the 1960s, the state said. However, internet service providers, search engines and news sites are exempt from the law. How do sites verify ages? It's already illegal to show children pornography under federal law, however it's rarely enforced. But various measures already exist to verify a person's age online. Someone could upload a government ID or consent to the use facial recognition software to prove they are the age they say they are. Websites and social media companies such as Instagram parent company Meta have argued that age verification should be done by the companies that run app stores, such as Apple and Google, and not individual apps or websites. Can people get around verification? Critics, such as Pornhub have argued that age-verification laws can be easily circumvented with well-known tools such as virtual private networks (VPNs) that reroute requests to visit websites across various public networks. Questions have also been raised about enforcement, with Pornhub claiming those efforts would drive traffic to less-known sites that don't comply with the law and have fewer safety protocols. Who opposes such laws? Though heralded by social conservatives, age verification laws have been condemned by adult websites who argue they're part of a larger anti-sex political movement. They've also garnered opposition from groups that advocate for digital privacy and free speech, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation. The group has argued that it is impossible to ensure websites don't retain user data, regardless of whether age verification laws require they delete it. Samir Jain, vice president of policy at the nonprofit Center for Democracy & Technology, said the court's decision on age verification "does far more than uphold an incidental burden on adults' speech. It overturns decades of precedent and has the potential to upend access to First Amendment-protected speech on the internet for everyone, children and adults alike.' 'Age verification requirements still raise serious privacy and free expression concerns,' Jain added. 'If states are to go forward with these burdensome laws, age verification tools must be accurate and limit collection, sharing, and retention of personal information, particularly sensitive information like birthdate and biometric data.'
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
What to know about online age verification laws
The Supreme Court has upheld a Texas law aimed at blocking children under 18 from seeing online pornography by requiring websites to verify the ages of all visitors. Many states have passed similar age verification laws in an attempt to restrict access to adult material from minors, but digital rights groups have raised questions about such laws' effects on free speech and whether verifying ages by accessing sensitive data could violate people's privacy. What is the Texas law? The law requires websites hosting pornographic material to verify the ages of users in hopes of stopping those under 18 from visiting. Adults would need to supply websites with a government-issued ID or use third-party age-verification services. The law carries fines of up to $10,000 per violation — fined against the website — that could be raised to up to $250,000 per violation by a minor. Texas has argued that technology has improved significantly in the last 20 years, allowing online platforms to easily check users' ages with a quick picture. Those requirements are more like ID checks at brick-and-mortar adult stores that were upheld by the Supreme Court in the 1960s, the state said. However, internet service providers, search engines and news sites are exempt from the law. How do sites verify ages? It's already illegal to show children pornography under federal law, however it's rarely enforced. But various measures already exist to verify a person's age online. Someone could upload a government ID or consent to the use facial recognition software to prove they are the age they say they are. Websites and social media companies such as Instagram parent company Meta have argued that age verification should be done by the companies that run app stores, such as Apple and Google, and not individual apps or websites. Can people get around verification? Critics, such as Pornhub have argued that age-verification laws can be easily circumvented with well-known tools such as virtual private networks (VPNs) that reroute requests to visit websites across various public networks. Questions have also been raised about enforcement, with Pornhub claiming those efforts would drive traffic to less-known sites that don't comply with the law and have fewer safety protocols. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. Who opposes such laws? Though heralded by social conservatives, age verification laws have been condemned by adult websites who argue they're part of a larger anti-sex political movement. They've also garnered opposition from groups that advocate for digital privacy and free speech, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation. The group has argued that it is impossible to ensure websites don't retain user data, regardless of whether age verification laws require they delete it. Samir Jain, vice president of policy at the nonprofit Center for Democracy & Technology, said the court's decision on age verification 'does far more than uphold an incidental burden on adults' speech. It overturns decades of precedent and has the potential to upend access to First Amendment-protected speech on the internet for everyone, children and adults alike.' 'Age verification requirements still raise serious privacy and free expression concerns,' Jain added. 'If states are to go forward with these burdensome laws, age verification tools must be accurate and limit collection, sharing, and retention of personal information, particularly sensitive information like birthdate and biometric data.'
Associated Press
15-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Fold Introduces the Most Convenient Way to Buy and Share Bitcoin with New Bitcoin Gift Card
PHOENIX, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fold Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLD) ('Fold'), the first publicly traded bitcoin financial services company, is revolutionizing how consumers acquire and share bitcoin with the launch of the Fold Bitcoin Gift Card. Built with Fold's proprietary technology, this innovative new offering makes buying and gifting bitcoin as simple as purchasing a traditional gift card. Gift cards represent an over $300 billion market, with 84% of consumers transacting with them annually. Inspired by the success of alternative financial assets in retail, such as Costco's $200 million in monthly gold sales , Fold is paving the way for bitcoin to be integrated into the traditional gift card market. 'Our mission is to make bitcoin simple and approachable for everyone. The Bitcoin Gift Card brings bitcoin to millions of Americans in a familiar way,' said Will Reeves, Chairman and CEO of Fold. 'Available at the places people already shop, the Bitcoin Gift Card is the best way to gift bitcoin to others.' Starting today, the Fold Bitcoin Gift Card is available through Fold's website at In the coming months, Fold will expand the availability of the product to online and physical retail locations nationwide, making bitcoin accessible at the stores consumers know and trust. Fold's Bitcoin Gift Card was developed in partnership with Totus. With access to over 150,000 points of distribution nationwide, Totus will enable Fold to distribute its Bitcoin Gift Card broadly across the nation's retail footprint. About Fold Fold (NASDAQ: FLD) is the first publicly traded bitcoin financial services company, making it easy for individuals and businesses to earn, save, and use bitcoin. With over 1,485 BTC in its treasury, Fold is at the forefront of integrating bitcoin into everyday financial experiences. Through innovative products like the Fold App, Fold Credit Card, Bitcoin Gift Card, and Fold Card, the company is building the bridge between traditional finance and the bitcoin-powered future. About Totus Totus is the leading provider of gift card issuance and program management services for digitally native, consumer-obsessed retailers. Through the Totus Gift Card Network, retailers can reach new customers, reward existing ones, and get their brand in places it's never been before without having to take on any of the risks or complexity. For investor inquiries, please contact: Orange Group Samir Jain, CFA [email protected] For media inquiries, please contact: Elev8 Jessica Starman, MBA [email protected]
