Danger of accelerating 'net user's face scan' by passing a bill that obliges a large number of applications and websites to protect children
In recent years, there have been concerns about the harm that SNS and game platforms may have on children, and there is a growing movement to demand that companies protect minors. The 'California Age Appropriate Design Code Act (
Sweeping Children's Online Safety Bill Is Passed in California - The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/30/business/california-children-online-safety.html
Age Verification Providers Say Don't Worry About California Design Code; You'll Just Have To Scan Your Face For Every Website You Visit | Techdirt
https://www.techdirt.com/2022/08/29/age-verification-providers-say-dont-worry-about-california-design-code-youll-just-have-to-scan-your-face- for-every-website-you-visit/
In modern times, many children living in developed countries have their own smartphones, and they mix with adults on SNS and game platforms to post photos and videos, and play games. However, it has been pointed out that children may become overly immersed in apps and that adults with malicious intent may come into contact with children. We are taking steps.
Meanwhile, the California State Legislature submitted the `` California Age Appropriate Design Code Act '', which requires stricter child protection than federal law, and passed the Senate on August 29, 2022 with 33 votes in favor and 0 votes against. With the bill already passed by the House of Representatives, all that remains is approval by Governor Gavin Newsom.
The design code law targets a wide range of age groups, including 'children under the age of 18,' and not only apps and online services for children and young people, but also all apps and websites that are 'highly likely to be accessed by children.' Applies. The New York Times, a major daily newspaper, describes the Design Code Act as 'intended to impose basic safety standards on online services similar to those in the automobile industry, with apps and websites aimed at younger users, We are asking them to install digital protection equivalent to airbags.'
The technology industry has raised concerns that the Design Code Act covers too broad a range of apps and websites and affects more than is necessary. Not only SNS and game platforms, but also toys that connect online, voice-activated digital assistants, VR apps, etc., may also be applied, and Google Classroom, an educational portal for schools, will also be affected. About. Also, although the design code law is a bill in California, it seems that it may bring about changes not only in the state but throughout the United States.
Regarding the Design Code Law, TechNet, a high-tech industry group that includes Amazon, Apple, Google, Oracle, Meta, etc., and the California Chamber of Commerce have lowered the definition of ``children'' to the California State Congress from under 18 to under 16. I applied pressure. He also expressed concern that the bill would be applied too broadly and argued that it would be difficult to implement due to vague provisions. In a letter to lawmakers in April 2022, TechNet and the California Chamber of Commerce complained that ``the requirement that companies consider the 'best interests' of children is very difficult to interpret.'
In addition, privacy experts have voiced that 'the design code law may lead to consumer privacy violations.' In an April letter, the digital rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation said, 'Such a system would likely lead to platforms setting up elaborate age-verification systems for everyone, allowing all users to access their personal data.' and submit to further scrutiny by the company.'
Mike Masnick , a writer for technology media Techdirt, said that he received comments from the Age Verification Providers Association when he posted an article expressing concern about the design code law. The Association of Age Verification Providers said in a comment that ``age verification providers may not need access to your personal data at all,'' but Masnick said ``may not.'' He points out that the statement is completely different from 'will not / does not', and argues that the possibility of providers accessing personal data is a problem.
The Association of Age Verification Providers has also hinted at the possibility of introducing an age estimation system based on face scans, saying, ``In high-risk cases, the user takes a few selfies in the age check, or the provider requests 'In low-risk cases, you might only need to check once every three months. In high-risk situations, double-check each purchase.' may be requested,' he said. In response, Masnick said, ``The idea of needing a face scan to surf the web is crazy, and I have no idea how it will help children.'' Does that mean that I can only browse websites on my PC? Should public libraries and internet cafes have cameras on every machine?”
In addition, Masnick cites a series of cases in 2021 that ``unemployed people who failed the facial recognition system have been unable to receive employment insurance,'' citing the fact that the accuracy of the facial recognition system is not so high in the first place. I'm here.
A large number of unemployed people are unable to receive unemployment benefits due to face recognition systems - GIGAZINE
Not only SNS and specific social platforms are affected, but also publishers and news media that develop web versions, including the New York Times. The News/Media Alliance, an industry group, is also lobbying for changes in content, arguing that the bill may force newspapers and magazines to implement an age verification system and create multiple versions of articles according to age. It is said that they are doing
What may also be a particularly fundamental problem is the design code law's basic stance of 'do no harm from the start.' The New York Times points out that this attitude is contrary to the startup spirit of 'make first, then deal with problems' in Silicon Valley, and could suppress the high-tech industry in the United States.
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in Software, Web Service, Security, Posted by log1h_ik