reclaimthenet on Nostr: Meta’s latest push for age verification on Instagram and Facebook is a data privacy ...
Meta’s latest push for age verification on Instagram and Facebook is a data privacy minefield masquerading as a safety measure. Instead of straight-up IDs, Meta now claims it can "guess" user age through an AI “adult classifier,” scouring your profile, follower lists, and even "happy birthday" messages to decide if you’re over 18. Sounds vague? That’s because it is. The algorithm is proprietary—meaning, closed-source and hidden from public scrutiny. Billions of users are being subjected to this age-estimation experiment with zero transparency on its accuracy or methods.
And here’s the bigger issue: if the AI isn’t sure about your age, Meta still wants government-issued ID proof. Users will be asked for ID or a video selfie, analyzed by a third-party biometrics firm.
So, while Meta postures about privacy and keeping young users safe, it’s paving the way for invasive surveillance practices on a massive scale. It’s not just another restriction; it’s a quiet step toward normalizing biometric mass monitoring.
And here’s the bigger issue: if the AI isn’t sure about your age, Meta still wants government-issued ID proof. Users will be asked for ID or a video selfie, analyzed by a third-party biometrics firm.
So, while Meta postures about privacy and keeping young users safe, it’s paving the way for invasive surveillance practices on a massive scale. It’s not just another restriction; it’s a quiet step toward normalizing biometric mass monitoring.