LGBT Tech’s Research Featured in Stanford Law Review on Harmful Age-Verification Laws
- Tatyana Ithier
- Jul 10
- 1 min read
A recent paper in the Stanford Technology Law Review examines new global trends in online safety regulation, laws that compel age authentication for all users, then restrict minors’ access to certain content. The authors describe these as “segregate-and-suppress” laws, arguing that they not only fail to protect children but actively undermine privacy, security, and the open nature of the internet.
In their analysis, the authors reference LGBT Tech’s work, noting that the organization advocates for digital literacy and inclusive tools rather than blanket age-gating policies that may expose users to surveillance and data collection risks.
"In an effort to protect children online, regulators around the country and the world are enacting laws that compel Internet publishers to age-authenticate every reader (minors and adults alike) and then require publishers to restrict minors’ access to online content or resources. This Article calls these measures “segregate-and-suppress” laws. Legally mandating differential treatment between minors and adults superficially sounds like common sense, but implementing this principle online leads to surprising and counterproductive outcomes. Requiring readers to authenticate their age exposes minors (and adults) to significant privacy and security risks, and it dramatically reshapes the Internet’s functioning to the detriment of almost everyone."
By highlighting LGBTQ+ perspectives, LGBT Tech’s research underlines a broader concern, these segregationist laws disproportionately impact marginalized groups who rely on online platforms for identity, community, and access to vital information.
