Australia
Australia VPN Boom as “Age Verification” Law Takes Effect
The law successfully drove millions of Australians to VPNs and unregulated sites.
Australia’s “eSafety” Commissioner Threatens App Stores Over AI Age Verification Deadline
The same government that already bars under-16s from social media is now coming for AI chatbots, app stores, and search engines.
Apple Expands Age Checks to Australia, Brazil, Singapore, and US States
The company selling privacy as a feature is now running age screening on 18+ app downloads without explaining what data makes that determination possible.
Newsom Backs Teen Social Media Ban After Daughter’s Birthday Party Phone Moment
The governor who couldn’t bring himself to say “put the phones down” at his own daughter’s party is now asking the state to say it for every family in California.
Discord to Demand Face Scan or ID to Access All Features
Discord’s age gates also hinge on constant behavioral monitoring that shadows users across the platform.
MembersThe Slow Murder of Private Communication
Encryption stands firm while everything surrounding it conspires to see through it.
Australia Passes New Hate Speech Law, Raising Free Speech Fears
By redefining hate as a matter of perception, the new law risks making emotional response the measure of criminal guilt.
Australia’s New Hate Speech Bill Is Reckless, Contradictory, and Repressive
Australia’s hate law rewrites justice into a guessing game where imagined offense can cost you five years of your life.
No ID, No Account: Australia’s Great Digital Purge
The cleanup shows how swiftly online communities can be dismantled in the name of verification.
Albanese Backs Top Censor, Vows Stronger “Hate” Laws
Albanese’s full-throated defense of Australia’s eSafety chief suggests a government doubling down on its vision of a tightly policed digital frontier.
UK Terrorism Watchdog Calls for Under-16 Social Media Ban, Despite Digital ID Concerns
A ban meant to shield children from extremism could instead redefine the very idea of privacy in a connected world.
Jim Jordan Turns Up the Heat on Australia’s Online Speech Regulator
A direct challenge to the expanding reach of foreign regulators over American digital freedoms.