BigNatesDad

Utah has a new law about VPNs and age checks for adult websites that starts next week. The law called Senate Bill 73 requires websites with adult content to check the age of people in Utah before they can see it using simple checks like ID cards Using a VPN or any tool to hide your location does not help and if you are really in Utah the website must still check your age while websites cannot tell people how to use VPNs or other tricks to get around the rules. Websites that break the rules can face lawsuits and fines, Utah is the first state to make rules like this about VPNs. The law does not ban VPN services and it does not affect news sites or internet providers but privacy groups say this could mean more ID checks for everyone and make VPNs less useful for normal privacy needs.

Greece plans to ban social media anonymity to curb online toxicity

New York's new age verification law could ban anyone under the age of 18 from using messaging apps, or using chatting features in video games. The proposed law, called the Stop Online Predators Act, would require platforms to check user ages. For anyone under 18, private messages from people they do not know would be turned off by default. Kids could still chat privately with friends they have already added and Parents could choose to allow more open chatting if they want. The bill aims to stop unknown adults from easily contacting children while keeping normal friendships possible. It has passed one Senate committee and moved to another. It has support from the governor but is not yet a law.