Government Rolling Age Verification and Online Harms into One Giant Mess

Reports suggest that the Canadian government is introducing a bill that would combine online harms and age verification legislation.

https://www.freezenet.ca/government-rolling-age-verification-and-online-harms-into-one-giant-mess/

#Censorship #News #Privacy #Security #AgeVerification #Canada #FreeSpeech #legislation #OnlineHarms

Internet Age-Gates Are a Growing Global Threat

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2026/06/internet-age-gates-are-growing-global-threat

#privacy #AgeVerification #cybersecurity #politics #censorship #FreeSpeech

The flagship journal of the American Diabetes Association (#ADA) just published an editorial criticizing the #Trump admin for attempting to "Dismantle and Destroy Biomedical Research in the United States."
https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/49/6/901/164764/Misguided-Brushes-of-a-Pen-Continue-to-Dismantle

At an ADA conference yesterday, some members tried to pass out copies of the editorial just before #NIH Director #JayBhattacharya was scheduled to speak. They were blocked by security and escorted out of the building by police. The ADA had called in the police. Bhattacharya cancelled his talk.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/05/well/ada-conference-diabetes-trump.html

PS: What's going on at the ADA? The editorial had a disclaimer saying that it only represented the views of the authors, not the association. But the association had the courage to publish it. Then the association blocked its distribution, at its own conference, even calling in the police. Does it support free speech, even in support of science? Or not? And why can police stop peaceful scientists from handing out an editorial, even at an event sponsored by the group publishing the editorial?

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Medicine #TrumpVResearch #USPol #USPolitics

South Korean Online Communities Will Need to Scan Every Image with #AI #Censorship Tools

https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/south-korean-online-communities-will-need-to-scan-every-images-with-ai-censorship-tools/38341

#SouthKorea #privacy

The UK has banned US citizens journalist and commentator Cenk and Hasan from entering the UK to speak in London and Oxford.

Because they told the truth about Israel's influence on the USA. Not even the UK.

That tells you a lot about how sovereign the UK really is.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/left-wing-commentators-hasan-piker-and-cenk-uygur-banned-from-uk/ar-AA24zBBA

#zionism #ukpol #freespeech #censorship #cenkuygur #HasanPiker

Alt...

Cenk Uygur (l.) and Hasan Piker h

https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.v8i2.2853

I remember a legislative hearing where the congress discussed the need for YouTube to censor all content that questions the veracity of heliocentrism and space programs. Perhaps this paper is following that trend?

#Censorship #FlatEarth #Cosmology #Globalism #Theology #Sociology #FreudianProjection

Are AI Chat Bots Inherently Harmful? One Study Says “No”

The age verification debate has morphed into roping in AI chat bots. We found one study on the impacts of AI.

https://www.freezenet.ca/are-ai-chat-bots-inherently-harmful-one-study-says-no/

#Censorship #News #AgeVerification #BC #Canada #ChatBot #chatbot #TumblerRidge

New Brunswick Pushes Age Verification Because Screw the Science

The moral panic driven age verification laws has compelled New Brunswick to look into these failed laws as well.

https://www.freezenet.ca/new-brunswick-pushes-age-verification-because-screw-the-science/

#Censorship #News #AgeVerification #Canada #NewBrunswick #science

EFF Joins the Chorus: There’s No Evidence Supporting Age Verification

The evidence supporting age verification has long been weak. The EFF is lending their voice to point this out.

https://www.freezenet.ca/eff-joins-the-chorus-theres-no-evidence-supporting-age-verification/

#Censorship #News #AgeVerification #EFF #psychology #research #science #SocialMedia

Global Privacy Crackdown:
• US targets Signal/Tor w/ backdoor mandates
• EU tightens tool exports & platform moderation
• Russia/China expand VPN bans & speech limits
#Privacy #Censorship #DigitalRights

🌐 Full Report & Subscribe: https://osintnewsroom.net
☕ Support: https://ko-fi.com/osintnewroom

Earlier this week, OpenAI became the latest tech company to publicly endorse KOSA, the Kids Online Safety Act. The company, conveniently, tries to frame this as being about its support of child safety. It’s not. It’s about political horse trading, desperation for good publicity, and building a regulatory moat. KOSA would help create stronger online […]

#Boston City Council Unanimously Passes Resolution Opposing Online #Censorship and #AgeVerification Bills, Cites Harms to #LGBTQ+ Lifesaving Online Resources

https://www.fightforthefuture.org/news/2026-05-13-new-boston-city-council-unanimously-passes-resolution-opposing-online-censorship-and-age-verification-bills-cites-harms-to-lgbtq-lifesaving-online-resources/

#privacy #cybersecurity #politics

Privacy Guides explains how to deploy a Signal proxy so users can bypass state blocks and retain access to encrypted messaging. 🔐
The guide outlines self-hosted setup steps and highlights how Signal’s centralized design can restrict access during censorship. 🌍

🔗 https://www.privacyguides.org/videos/2026/05/14/help-defeat-censorship-how-to-run-a-signal-proxy/

@privacyguides
@signalapp

#TechNews #Signal #PrivacyGuides #SignalProxy #Proxy #State #Encryption #Censorship #Privacy #FOSS #Cybersecurity #OpenSource #Freedom #DigitalRights #SelfHosting

Angus Reid Poll Undermines Media Age Verification Narrative

Canada's mainstream media has been pushing the narrative that age verification is popular. Not quite according to Angus Reid.

https://www.freezenet.ca/angus-reid-poll-undermines-media-age-verification-narrative/

#Censorship #News #AgeVerification #AngusReid #Canada #CherryPicking #poll #statistics

Age Verification is Now Mutating into General ID

Surveillance creep is once again striking in the age verification debate. This is happening at the FCC this time.

https://www.freezenet.ca/age-verification-is-now-mutating-into-general-id/

#Censorship #News #Privacy #Security #AgeVerification #CellPhone #FCC #US

Actually, here’s what I really think is lacking: a hide post moderation option in Mastodon.

Instead of deleting posts, moderators should be able to hide posts.

Posts that are hidden by moderators should keep their place in the timeline but state publicly that they were hidden by moderators.

(Servers other than the originating server must treat hidden posts as otherwise deleted and remove their local cache of the content. This is no different to the existing social contact for federated deletes.)

The server should also clearly communicate to the person in question (this can be automated) that their post has been hidden and that they can challenge the decision via regular channels by filing an appeal. (And, if they don’t like the moderation, they can move to a different server, etc., as per usual.)

That would feel much better to me than deleting a post outright and it can be combined with a moderation policy that promises not to delete or edit other people’s posts.

It would also allow for an appeal process and the possible reinstatement of a post should it be found that a moderation error has occurred.

CC @staff @haubles

#mastodon #moderation #fediverse #postDeletion #postHiding #authorship #censorship #ownership

So I hasn’t realised that Mastodon GmbH (mastodon.social) also runs mastodon.online.

This is troubling, to say the least.

#mastodon #fediverse #federation #censorship #mastodonOnline #mastodonSocial #mastodonGmbH

…Not least of all because the same company that runs the largest Mastodon instance runs more than one instance (why?)

But also the moderation policy that allows for the deletion of people’s posts. (Not even limiting the account or suspending it and asking the person who wrote the post to delete it but moderators outright deleting other people’s posts themselves. That sets a very dangerous precedent.)

#mastodon #fediverse #federation #censorship #mastodonOnline #mastodonSocial #mastodonGmbH

RE: https://veganism.social/@Geri/116537676967800066

Folks, just a quick warning: If you’re against Israel’s genocide in Gaza, avoid mastodon.online.

They deleted two of Geri’s posts.

Geri is a wonderful activist and an inspiration from the UK who has braved arrest to shine a light on Israel’s ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people.

Do give her a follow on her new account as she lost quite a few followers during the migration.

Also, to our friends in Gaza, please don’t create accounts on this server.

#mastodon #fediverse #moderation #censorship #mastodonOnline #israel #genocide #ethnicCleansing #apartheid #settlerColonialism #Gaza #GazaVerified #StopIsrael #FreePalestine

Totts » 🌐 2026-05-08 / 2026-05-08
@Geri@veganism.social

@aral @david_chisnall mastodon.online - they were criticisms of the the media not mentioning the Muslim being stabbed at that event and thereby framing it exclusively as antisemitism. But hey ho.

I emphasised the abhorrent nature of AS in my post but concluded how further posts may be viewed

Yesterday, we attended the Barclays Annual General Meeting and made a nuisance of ourselves

https://www.instagram.com/stories/palestinesolidarityuk/3891812423648727454?utm_source=ig_story_item_share&igsh=MXgxNGtteTg1bWEzNQ==

…Satellite imagery of the #MiddleEast is unusually difficult to acquire at present. 2 of the largest commercial providers, Vantor & Planet, have complied with requests from the #US govt—their biggest customer—to limit, delay or indefinitely withhold the publication of imagery of the region [#censorship] while the #war is ongoing, making it difficult or impossible to assess #Iran’s counterstrikes. Those restrictions began less than 2 weeks into the war.

#IranWar #Trump #law #Congress #WarPowers

History Repeats Itself: UK Age Verification Law Fails

Under age teens are once again circumventing the age gates on a massive scale, causing the UK age verification laws to catastrophically fail.

https://www.freezenet.ca/history-repeats-itself-uk-age-verification-law-fails/

#Censorship #News #Privacy #Security #AgeVerification #fail #SocialMedia #UK #VideoGames

Thank you New Mexico, for giving Meta an excuse to roll out this system.

I'm sure it is backed by independent research and is highly accurate. Right? Just like how other age estimation systems are highly accurate?

Also, as I have said before, I think kids should be allowed on social media because the benefits clearly outweigh the harms.

https://web.archive.org/web/https://www.theverge.com/tech/923564/facebook-instagram-teen-accounts-ai-bone-analysis

#censorship #youthRights #Meta

Utah’s VPN Ban Law Goes Into Effect in Age Verification Escalation

Utah is attempting to cover up the failures of their age verification law by effectively banning VPNs.

https://www.freezenet.ca/utahs-vpn-ban-law-goes-into-effect-in-age-verification-escalation/

#Censorship #News #Privacy #Security #AgeVerification #encryption #law #legislation #US #Utah #VPN

@Tutanota I suggest adding"❌ Suppression of Tor users (in my opinion by Tuta)"to the right side.

I tried to create an anonymous Tuta account when I was living in a dictatorship and I remember it didn't work.

I was using Tor because I didn't want to be abducted into a concentration camp (euphemistically called "jail") by the dictatorial regime in retaliation for legitimate and legal exercising of my human and constitutional right to free speech I was planning using that account.

I strongly suspect the reason it didn't work was because IMO Tuta was suppressing Tor users.

Due to this,my work in publishing public domain legal norms the regime was trying to hide,was greatly slowed down and made difficult.

When Tuta is writing like this,in my opinion it is hypocrisy.

The following hashtags may be unrelated or only remotely related to the topic of this post:

#hypocrisy #tuta #tutanota #tor #freespeech #freedomofspeech #dictatorship #anonymity #rejection #privacy #encryption #censorship

Greece plans to require social media users to verify real identities, limiting anonymity to curb abuse and misinformation, raising privacy risks ⚖️
Officials say pseudonyms may remain but tied to real identities, highlighting tensions between state oversight, platform control, and user anonymity 🔐

🔗 https://www.euractiv.com/news/greece-to-ban-anonymity-on-social-media/

#TechNews #Greece #SocialMedia #Privacy #DigitalRights #Cybersecurity #Surveillance #FOSS #Security #Data #Internet #Freedom #Censorship #Regulation #Tech #Europe #EU #Greek

Turkey plans to ban unlicensed VPNs and require approved providers to log user activity and share data with authorities, restricting anonymous access. 🚫
VPN signups surged as users seek privacy tools amid blocks, highlighting tensions between state control, surveillance risks, and user autonomy online. 🔐

🔗 https://reclaimthenet.org/turkey-to-ban-anonymous-vpns

#TechNews #Turkey #VPN #Cybersecurity #Privacy #Surveillance #FOSS #Security #Data #Internet #Freedom #Censorship #Encryption #Tech #Europe #EU #Türkiye #Anonymity

#Utah’s New Law Targeting VPNs Goes Into Effect Next Week

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2026/04/utahs-new-law-regulating-vpns-goes-effect-next-week

#VPN #privacy #AgeVerification #censorship #IdentityVerification

#SXSW Used #AI-Powered Trademark Tool To Censor Dissent on #Instagram

https://www.404media.co/sxsw-used-ai-powered-trademark-tool-to-censor-dissent-on-instagram/

#censorship #privacy #FreeSpeech #BrandShield

Manitoba Acts on Moral Panic, Pushes Age Verification

The Manitoba government has announced that it would be joining the war on free speech with an age verification bill.

https://www.freezenet.ca/manitoba-acts-on-moral-panic-pushes-age-verification/

#Censorship #News #AgeVerification #Canada #Manitoba #SocialMedia

The #WikimediaFoundation is signing a disturbing agreement with #Indonesia in order to allow Indonesian access to #Wikipedia.
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260425-under-blackout-threat-wikimedia-reaches-compromise-with-indonesia

A provision in the agreement lets the govt "take down content deemed as 'causing public unrest and disturbing public order'."

Indonesia assured WF that the agreement was merely "administrative" and that "there would be no unlawful content takedown orders." But of course the agreement makes harmful takedowns lawful.

"Last October, Indonesia briefly suspended #TikTok's local operating licence after the social media platform refused to share information sought by Jakarta about violent anti-government protests earlier in the year."

#Censorship

How and Why Russian Apps Search for #VPN on Users' Phones

https://rks.global/en/research/vpn-detection/

#Russia #privacy #censorship

It's heartbreaking to see that there's a growing number of people who no longer feel safe in their own home or country.

Unfortunately, for people in precarious situations, digital footprints of all kind can be enough to threaten safety.

Whether you know someone who is a victim of domestic violence, a queer person living in a hostile environment, or a human rights activist located in regions adverse to their cause, Tails might be able to help.

Here's a beginner-friendly guide on how to install Tails, for yourself or for others.

https://www.privacyguides.org/articles/2025/01/29/installing-and-using-tails/

#Privacy #Tails #Tor #TransSafety #DomesticViolence #LGBTQ #Democracy #HumanRights #Censorship

Venture Capitalists and AI Investors Push Canadian Age Verification Law

Venture Capitalists and AI company executives are pushing a petition to pressure Canada into passing age verification.

https://www.freezenet.ca/venture-capitalists-and-ai-investors-push-canadian-age-verification-law/

#Business #Censorship #News #AgeVerification #AI #Canada #SocialMedia #VentureCapitalism

Europe’s Age Verification App Hacked, Suffers Data Leak

Europe unveiled a 'be all, end all' app solution for age verification. It's already leaking data and has been hacked.

https://www.freezenet.ca/europes-age-verification-app-hacked-suffers-data-leak/

#Censorship #News #Privacy #Security #Technology #AgeVerification #app #DataLeak #Europe #fail #hack #hacked

Culture Minister Says Government Seriously Considering Age Verification

A Liberal minister says that mass government internet censorship through age verification is being considered as well.

https://www.freezenet.ca/culture-minister-says-government-seriously-considering-age-verification/

#Censorship #News #Privacy #AgeVerification #BillS209 #Canada #Liberals #SocialMedia

Stop New York’s #Surveillance and #Censorship Mandate Before It’s Too Late

We’ve seen this playbook before. Industries push for mandated technology built into consumer devices, framed as a safety measure. The safety problem doesn’t get solved; but the surveillance #infrastructure gets built, and it doesn’t stay limited to its original purpose.
#newyork #3d

https://act.eff.org/action/stop-new-york-s-surveillance-and-censorship-mandate-before-it-s-too-late

After Numerous Screw Ups, EU Develops Own Age Verification App

The roll out of age verification has been a complete disaster. So, Europe has decided to roll out their own broken app.

https://www.freezenet.ca/after-numerous-screw-ups-eu-develops-own-age-verification-app/

#Censorship #News #Privacy #Security #AgeVerification #app #EU #Europe #government #PersonalInformation

I think it’s important to understand that, despite claims to the contrary, age verification is, inherently, a right-wing effort. While it’s currently true that age verification laws are being supported globally by those on the political right and left, they started as very much a right wing effort to suppress disliked speech by claiming it […]