Canadian lawmakers are considering new legislation, known as S-210, aimed at protecting children from accessing explicit sexual material. However, this initiative raises serious concerns about the safety, privacy, and freedom of expression of all Internet users. Introduced in 2023, the proposal requires all commercial internet services that “offer” explicit content to implement age verification systems, which could commonly require users to show government-issued identification.
The proponents of the project argue that this measure is necessary to prevent problems such as “pornography addiction” and the “reinforcement of gender stereotypes and attitudes favorable to harassment and violence, especially against women.” However, digital rights organizations warn that requiring all individuals, regardless of age, to present identification to access the internet will not solve the issues at hand.
The scope of the S-210 project is alarmingly broad, as it poses legal risks not only for those who intentionally sell or distribute explicit material, but also for those who inadvertently transmit it. This includes internet infrastructure intermediaries, social networks, search engines, and messaging platforms, all required to prevent access to any user whose age is not verified, unless they can prove that the content has a “legitimate purpose” related to science, medicine, education, or the arts.
Furthermore, S-210 is criticized for not distinguishing between content regulation and internet infrastructure, which could lead to an excessive removal of content, harming marginalized communities and organizations that support victims of trafficking and abuse. Rules that prohibit sexual content tend to harm those who need protection the most.
The project also suggests that age verification technology has advanced and can identify users without compromising their privacy rights. However, experts argue that currently there is no such technology that can meet this requirement without compromising user privacy. Additionally, the project does not specify which technology should be used, potentially resulting in systems that retain sensitive data with potential risks of leaks.
Implementing age verification systems that rely on government-issued IDs excludes Canadians who simply do not have access to such ID types. This would create a scenario where internet access becomes a series of security checks that many cannot pass.
Canadian lawmakers have the opportunity to abandon the S-210 project, a measure that could jeopardize internet freedom in Canada. If not acted upon, there is a risk of establishing a regulatory framework that ends up restricting web access and compromising the privacy of its users.
via: MiMub in Spanish