A legislative proposal is currently under review that could dramatically change how people access adult content online. Known as the SCREEN Act, this bill is now before the Senate Commerce Committee and would require online platforms that host explicit material to verify users' ages. The law would apply to any website, app, or service that hosts even a single piece of sexually explicit content, regardless of the size or primary purpose of the platform.
What makes the SCREEN Act unusual is its extremely wide reach. While most age verification laws target only websites with a large amount of adult content, this new bill would apply to even small platforms. This means major services like Reddit, Netflix, or Discord might be forced to add age verification measures if they have even a limited amount of adult content. The bill's scope is designed to cover a broad range of digital platforms.
Simply stating you are over 18 is no longer acceptable. The SCREEN Act explicitly bans age attestation as a standalone verification method. Instead, the law requires users to prove their age using real-world identifiers. This could mean showing a government-issued ID, providing credit card details, or submitting other forms of personal information. Once collected, this information would be stored by third-party verification services, not the platforms themselves.
These digital verification services would retain users' data for an unclear amount of time. The bill does not set clear limits on how long or for what purpose companies can use this data. It only requires them to take “reasonable” measures to keep the data secure. This language, however, is vague and subject to interpretation, which could lead to companies storing personal data indefinitely or using it for purposes beyond the original intent.
VPNs and Privacy Tools Under Attack
One of the most controversial aspects of the SCREEN Act is its treatment of virtual private networks (VPNs) and other privacy tools. The bill would require covered platforms to verify users’ ages based on their IP addresses. However, if users access these services through a known VPN, the platforms must still request age verification. This effectively targets tools used by millions to protect their privacy and anonymity online.
VPNs operate by masking a user’s real location by routing traffic through a different server. When a website sees traffic from a user through a VPN, it only sees the server's IP address, not the user’s real location. The SCREEN Act would force platforms to treat this traffic as suspicious and require additional verification steps. This could discourage users from using these tools, which are essential for people in areas with strict internet surveillance or those trying to stay private.
Privacy, Security, and Legal Speech at Risk
The bill’s impact extends beyond the issue of adult content. If platforms must verify age, they also must prove users are adults, which could deter individuals who want to remain anonymous online. This could make it harder for users to speak freely without fear of being identified. Additionally, the law creates conditions where companies can collect and retain unnecessary personal data, which increases the risk of data misuse or cyberattacks.
Privacy advocates argue that the law could undermine users’ right to anonymous speech and prevent access to lawful content. While supporters of the bill say it is intended to protect minors from harmful material, critics point out the potential harm to the privacy and security of all internet users. The SCREEN Act raises serious concerns about how online platforms might handle user data and what new challenges this law could create for digital privacy.