Meta’s Approach to Online Age Verification: Insights from Global Head of Safety

The Challenges of Age Verification and Privacy Protection in the Digital Age

Meta’s Perspective on Balancing Age Verification and Privacy

“The ability to know somebody’s age and try to protect privacy at the same time can be challenging,” says Meta’s Global Head of Safety Antigone Davis. Meta has been ” on Facebook Dating and also will occasionally check government IDs, which it stores short-term with encryption. But there’s no perfect solution.

According to Davis, finding a comprehensive solution to age verification while maintaining user privacy has proven to be a complex task for the industry. She emphasizes that there is no single, all-encompassing answer to this problem.

The Potential of Phone Setup as an Age Verification Point

Davis suggests that the most straightforward and least privacy-invasive approach to age verification could be during the phone setup process. This is a time when children and teenagers are likely to be in close proximity to their parents, increasing the likelihood of providing accurate age information.

Legislative Efforts and State-Level Age Verification Laws

While online safety measures for children are a prominent topic in Congress, the limited time available this year may hinder the passage of comprehensive legislation. In the meantime, “, have taken the initiative to implement their own age verification laws. These laws often require parental consent for large groups of young teens to access social media platforms.

Navigating the Patchwork of State-Level Regulations

Davis points out that the varying state-level age verification laws create a complex landscape for companies to navigate. Some states specify the type and form of age verification required, while others do not. Additionally, there are inconsistencies in the accuracy rates that states expect companies to meet. This ambiguity in the laws raises concerns about liability and risk for all companies involved.