Oppose H.R. 8250 – Protect Privacy, Free Speech, and the Digital Economy

Dear Supporters,

H.R. 8250 (the Parents Decide Act) is moving forward, and it pushes operating system–level age verification that expands data collection, weakens privacy, and creates new barriers for free speech and independent technology.

We need action now.

Send an email to your senators and tell them to oppose H.R. 8250 and similar legislation. Use the message provided, or write your own—what matters is that they hear from you. Copy and send this email.

Dear Senator,

I am writing to express strong opposition to H.R. 8250 (the Parents Decide Act) and any similar proposals that mandate operating system–level age verification and require user data to be shared with apps through APIs.

While framed as child protection, this approach raises serious concerns for privacy, free expression, and the digital economy.

First, mandating age verification at the operating system level creates infrastructure that can link identity to devices and online activity at scale. This risks undermining anonymous speech and access to lawful information, principles recognized in cases such as Reno v. ACLU (521 U.S. 844), Ashcroft v. ACLU, and Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association.

Second, requiring OS providers to expose age signals to apps places a significant burden on smaller developers and independent operating systems, including Linux-based projects. Large platforms may absorb compliance costs, but smaller innovators cannot, which distorts competition and centralizes power in a handful of major companies.

Third, there are legitimate concerns about data collection and commercialization. Expanding APIs that transmit user attributes creates incentives for further data aggregation, increasing risks of misuse, breaches, and mission creep beyond the original purpose.

Protecting children online is important, but broad, system-level identity requirements are not the only path forward. More targeted approaches—focused on parental tools, platform accountability, and enforcement against actual harm—can address safety concerns without building infrastructure that risks widespread tracking and speech chilling.

I respectfully urge you to oppose H.R. 8250 or support amendments that:

• prohibit mandatory OS-level identity systems for lawful access,
• limit data collection and sharing to the minimum necessary,
• and protect anonymous speech and innovation across the technology sector.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[City/State]

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Without clear protections like the Digital Liberty Act, more “wolf in sheep’s clothing” legislation will continue to pass—framed as child protection, but expanding surveillance, data collection, and control over how we use the internet.

This is where pressure matters.

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We’ve reached 100 supporters. Now we turn that support into action.

Freedom online doesn’t defend itself—we have to.