"A Hackers Guide to Circumventing Internet Shutdowns"
"Linux devs are fighting the new age-gated internet"
"Under-16 Social Media Ban: Malaysians must verify age using MyKad or passport from 1 June"
"After Town Bans Flock, Councilmember Crashes Out, Proposes Internet and Phone Ban"
"Lemmy: Fauxx Data poisoning for your everyday tracking"

Check out the latest monthly news roundup for the full list of headlines.

https://theprivacycloud.substack.com/p/may-2026-privacy-news-roundup

#privacy #surveillance #technology #ageverification

May 2026 Privacy News Roundup

News

The Privacy Cloud 🔐☁️

Until social platforms have their activities regulated (platforms lobby hard to prevent this from happening) with strict rules and demands for accountability and transparency, countries will end up implementing age-checking devices to provide access (an action that benefits platforms more and harms people's privacy).

It is a lose-lose situation (for both users and societies at large).

#socialmedia #regulation
#algorithm #ageverification #digitalculture

Online age checks create privacy risks https://www.futurity.org/online-age-checks-privacy-risk-3336572/

However, by measuring online age verification, researchers reveal that the reality of these systems is far from ideal. The study found that most sites covered by these laws do not appear to enforce age verification.

#AgeVerification

@hpod16 Yes, as long they don't bring the #ageverification and #digitalid shite over those places as well ! There are already very good alternatives to #whatsapp that don' t even require a phone number e.g. @session @Jami 🤘

People value their privacy, as long as it's that's the core you are developing #socialmedia around instead of abusing their data !

📱 Apple's Age Verification in Texas: Impacts and Challenges for Users

Apple's age verification for the App Store in Texas raises questions about privacy, compliance, and its broader implications for users and developers.

https://www.byte-pulse.net/article/apple-s-age-verification-in-texas-impacts-and-challenges-for-users

#apple #appstore #ageverification #texas

Engadget: Apple begins requiring age verification for App Store use in Texas . “New Apple Accounts in Texas will be subject to SB 2420 and will need to verify their ages. A parent or guardian will need to provide consent when minors download apps or significant updates to apps and when they make in-app purchases. Developers will also need to support parents or guardians revoking that consent to […]

https://rbfirehose.com/2026/06/04/engadget-apple-begins-requiring-age-verification-for-app-store-use-in-texas/
Engadget: Apple begins requiring age verification for App Store use in Texas

Engadget: Apple begins requiring age verification for App Store use in Texas . “New Apple Accounts in Texas will be subject to SB 2420 and will need to verify their ages. A parent or guardian…

ResearchBuzz: Firehose

⋅ California's AB 1856 Exempts Linux From Age Checks but Pulls in Websites and Browsers

https://vp.net/l/en-US/blog/California's-AB-1856-Exempts-Linux-From-Age-Checks-but-Pulls-in-Websites-and-Browsers

#Linux #AgeVerification

vp.net

Age verification being forced into open source software is not a good thing. Some good news at least here.
Article: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ0iVWUvvDM
See our policy here: https://www.fusionparty.org.au/civil_digital_liberties
#auspol #fusionparty #DigitalLiberty #PirateParty #ageverification #linux
Linux Is Too Powerful For Age Check Laws

YouTube

If you know anything about the potential extension of the exemption for next year or what may be required if it isn’t extended please reply here or message me.

#autism #privacy #identityverification #ageverification #mentalhealth #persona #IDverification #biometricdata