Proton CEO warns age checks could turn internet into ID checkpoint

Proton CEO Andy Yen has warned that global trends toward mandatory age verification represent an identity checkpoint for the entire internet that is threatening online anonymity. While acknowledging valid concerns regarding child safety, Yen argues that the proposed measures are unacceptably broad and likely to be exploited by governments and big technology companies. Furthermore, Yen highlights that age verification often necessitates government-issued identification for all users, which could facilitate industrial-scale surveillance and state pressure. Where accounts are tied to IDs, Yen claims that it becomes easy for states to block access based on nationality or political factors, silencing whistleblowers and harming democracy.

Rather than making technology companies gatekeepers for all adults, Yen advocates giving parents greater authority. As such, he is calling for tech companies to improve parental-control features at the device and app levels, ensuring these tools are accessible and effective without compromising the privacy of the wider population.

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