New iPhone age and identity checks restrict internet freedom in the UK

Post by tonyedgecombe » Fri, Apr 10, 2026, 5:30 AM UTC

abtinf wrote: post #11

peterspath wrote: post #2

This will probably be sneaked in, in more countries under the banner of age verification since more countries are proposing laws than ban children younger than 16 from social media. I am all for the ban of social media. But I am afraid that it will give us more government meddling and interfering on our devices. And that Apple and google are “forced” to do it. They of course have their own gains.

> I am all for the ban of social media. But I am afraid that it will give us more government meddling and interfering on our devices. A “ban” is literally government interference. Pick a lane.

Post by _3u10 » Fri, Apr 10, 2026, 5:31 AM UTC

01HNNWZ0MV43FF wrote: post #39

consoleable wrote: post #22

Why have Western countries introduced so many laws that look like China’s? The government controls more and more individuals

I can only speak for the USA, but the first-past-the-post voting plus a very strong bias towards rural areas and former slave-owner states, results in a government that poorly represents any of its constituents. I don't know if even right-wingers like this age verification crap, maybe they put up with it from Republicans so they can vote against abortion and I put up with it from Democrats so I can vote for abortion.…

Post by hotstickyballs » Fri, Apr 10, 2026, 5:33 AM UTC

cornholio wrote: post #25

fxtentacle wrote: post #16

While I agree with the general argument that iOS shouldn’t limit the user’s freedom, it looks to me like Apple actually put in some effort to make this as privacy-preserving as possible. The article somewhat glosses over it, but you can buy a PASS age verification card at the local post office for 15£. That one is widely accepted and it doesn’t contain unnecessary information that might cause trouble if it leaked (li…

The PASS card features your name and photo, it's an ID by any other name. You must have a very warped perspective of social reality if you think it should be acceptable to force every adult to show their papers before they can do anything in modern society - and all that just so you can avoid your parenting duties. And I say that as a parent.

Post by tonyedgecombe » Fri, Apr 10, 2026, 5:36 AM UTC

Doohickey-d wrote: post #45

guidedlight wrote: post #36

I would rather prove my age to Apple than [insert random website]. I think that’s what Apple is banking on. They sell privacy as a feature of their products, and I’m grateful for that.

And I would rather have the _choice_ whether to prove my age to Apple or not. I think if it were optional, with the additional option of "share my age with websites & apps", nobody would have an issue with it.

Post by raw_anon_1111 » Fri, Apr 10, 2026, 5:38 AM UTC

al_borland wrote: post #12

As much as I'd like to see Apple fight this, shouldn't the blame be placed on the governments for compelling this, rather than on Apple? What is the alternative, pulling out of the UK? While I'd love this hard-line approach, as it might make other countries think twice, the stockholders probably wouldn't love it. > Laws like the Online Safety Act 2023 apply to websites and online services — not to entire phone operat…