Privacy

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Mastodon says it doesn't 'have the means' to comply with age verification laws | TechCrunch (techcrunch.com)

submitted 1 week ago by Zerush@lemmy.ml to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

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Mastodon, the decentralized social network, stated it cannot comply with age verification laws like Mississippi's recent legislation because it lacks the technical capability to do so[^1]. While Mastodon's software allows server administrators to specify a minimum age of 16 for sign-ups, the age-check data is not stored, and the nonprofit has no way to verify users' ages[^1].

The organization emphasizes that individual server owners must decide for themselves whether to implement age verification, noting that Mastodon was founded specifically "to allow different jurisdictions to have social media that is independent of the U.S."[^1]

This stance follows Bluesky's decision to block service in Mississippi over similar age verification requirements[^1]. Mastodon's position highlights the unique challenges decentralized platforms face with regional compliance, as there is "nobody that can decide for the fediverse to block Mississippi," according to Mastodon founder Eugen Rochko[^1].

[^1]: TechCrunch - Mastodon says it doesn't 'have the means' to comply with age verification laws

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[–] ell1e@leminal.space 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

I agree the EU has shown a higher human rights interest. But if the temptation is too high, like with a digital ID everyone is habituated to using daily, they'll likely falter eventually. That seems to be Cory Doctorow's angle as well. Edit: shortened.