Opinion: Boris Bohrer-Bilowitzki, CEO of Concordium
Recent efforts to protect minors from adult content are very necessary. As this movement takes effect in the UK, other European markets and the US are facing similar restrictions.
However, as websites introduce age verification software, problems arise. To avoid age verification, users either try to circumvent the process or seek out less compliant providers. In either case, people are not adopting this new process, which means minors still face risks.
Existing identity verification protocols do not meet the standards. Adult users need to feel that their identities are protected, while minors are blocked from access. Processes like photo uploads or credit card checks are too outdated to be effective. Instead, a method that combines anonymity with legitimate identity is needed.
Recognizing the importance of laws like cybersecurity legislation is crucial. Due to the widespread use of the internet, inappropriate content is easily accessible to minors. Over 50% of children encounter harmful information online, and the government has a responsibility to protect minors.
The real challenge lies in enforcement. Existing age verification only leads users to attempt to bypass the process. VPN downloads have surged by 1800%, indicating that users of all ages are evading verification.
This offers no practical benefit to any party. Websites cannot guarantee that minors will not access their content, thus undermining cybersecurity legislation. Meanwhile, when users circumvent verification through compliant websites, they are more likely to turn to non-compliant providers, posing serious security and legal risks.
Why are even users of legal age avoiding verification software? The root cause is privacy. Adults want to ensure their identities are protected. Although existing age verification promises anonymity, the requirement to upload photos or credit card information still raises concerns.
Current age verification processes are highly susceptible to hacking, extortion, and other security incidents, potentially leading to scandals. Whether it’s large retail chains or mobile service providers, even the strongest systems can face risks. Adult content websites have become primary targets for cyberattacks regarding identity verification. Even with the strictest protocols, websites ultimately struggle to fully defend against attacks.
In this regard, the Web3 space can play a crucial role. Privacy and identity verification need to be balanced, and blockchain systems should enable permission management without sacrificing user privacy.
Users first complete identity verification through certified identity service providers. Then, the verification status is encrypted via zero-knowledge proofs and linked to a blockchain address, rather than directly linking to names or photos. This allows for identity verification across multiple services without third parties accessing related data.
Users can prove they are over 18 without disclosing their identity information to the websites they use. This method is not only applicable to adult content but can also be widely used in areas like gambling and trade finance. Users do not need to leak personal data, as the identity verification process exists outside the blockchain. The verification process is simplified while ensuring the security of users' personal information.
If necessary, relevant protocols can still be employed to ensure user identities can be verified. Law enforcement can map blockchain accounts back to verified identities through the process if an investigation is needed. In extreme cases, this ensures that malicious actors can be traced. The blockchain identity verification method can balance the privacy protection of law-abiding users with the accountability of malicious actors.
In an age of content overload, age verification has become an inevitable trend. If we continue to rely on outdated methods, user acceptance of new processes will further decline. The application of blockchain is not to evade age verification or deny cybersecurity issues, but to establish better methods that make it easier for users to accept new requirements.
Current regulatory trends indicate that digital anonymity and security can coexist. Achieving both requires rethinking online identity, not as a surveillance tool, but as a signal of user autonomy and choice.
To achieve a better online experience, governments and businesses must go beyond mere compliance and design systems that meet users' real needs: systems that are secure, private, and grant user autonomy.
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Original: “Opinion: Age Verification Has Major Flaws, Blockchain Needs to Get Involved”
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