Australia has restricted online speech for minors under 16 unless they submit government identification to access social media.

The UK is advancing legislation that would require users to submit ID and facial recognition to use search engines.

In the United States, several states are proposing laws that would either ban VPNs outright or require identity verification to purchase them — all justified as “protecting children.”

These policies undermine anonymity, chill lawful speech, and normalize identity verification as a prerequisite to participation in the digital public square.

The danger is not limited to one country. These measures are being advanced quietly, through regulatory pressure and financial compliance, with little public debate.

Protecting children should not require dismantling fundamental rights for everyone.