Jun 26, 2025
A new Senate proposal, known as COPPA 2.0 (S.836), aims to update digital privacy protections for minors by expanding coverage to all users under 17 and requiring teens aged 13–16 to give their own consent for data collection. While framed as a long-overdue reform, the bill introduces vague legal language that shifts the burden of age verification from clear-cut knowledge to assumptions based on “objective circumstances.” This ambiguity forces platforms to guess user ages through behavioral cues or metadata, making them liable if they fail to identify minors — even without explicit confirmation. In response, many websites may adopt sweeping age verification systems for all users, potentially requiring government-issued IDs or biometric data to avoid legal exposure.
These changes risk undermining the very privacy they claim to protect. Without a national data privacy framework, mandatory age checks could lead to widespread surveillance, increased data collection, and limited access to online platforms for adults and minors alike. Sensitive personal data may be stored indefinitely, exposed to breaches, or exploited by third parties — all without adequate oversight. In effect, S.836 outsources responsibility to private tech companies, incentivizing overly cautious policies that threaten free expression, especially in communities that rely on anonymity. Protecting children online is vital, but doing so through vague legal expectations and invasive verification practices risks eroding digital freedom and privacy for everyone.
Stay Awake. Keep Watch.
SOURCE: Reclaim the Net