UK age checks spark Reddit backlash

The UK Online Safety Act imposes age checks that sparked chaos on Reddit and highlighted privacy, censorship, and usability concerns as a global policy issue.

UK age verification chaos shows what the internet could become

On July 25, UK Reddit users found many communities locked behind age checks. Reddit contracts with the vendor Persona to verify age via government ID and live selfie. The change affected subreddits covering LGBTQ+ topics, global journalism, public health forums like r periods and other communities, with unverified users seeing gates to posts. The rollout sparked VPN use and a petition with hundreds of thousands of signatures, showing broad pushback.

Users described technical glitches such as repeated ID requests and moderators unable to view NSFW posts or vet user histories. Critics warn that strict verification could drive overblocking, harming access to legitimate discussion. The episode suggests age gates do not reliably protect minors and may push people toward less regulated corners of the internet.

The episode reveals a core clash in online safety policy: how to shield minors without eroding privacy or free speech. UK rollout as a test case shows that verification tech is error prone and easy to evade, while heavy penalties incentivize censorship rather than protection. The net effect is a fragmented internet and diminished trust in platforms.

Policymakers ought to demand privacy by design, independent audits, and clear sunset clauses. Platforms should offer safety tools without sweeping data collection. Activists must push for transparency and robust user redress to keep the web open while still protecting the young.

Highlights

The next steps will test whether safety and freedom can coexist online.