Age verification checks online are on the rise - why experts are concerned for our privacy

2025-08-05

The days of simply ticking a box to confirm your age online are over. The UK has become one of the first countries to make it harder for internet users to consume pornography by requiring age verification measures, in an effort to prevent under-18s from viewing explicit content. The move has sparked concern about users giving even more data and personal information to tech companies... and has raised questions about whether the process actually works. So, with these laws gaining popularity overseas,...

The days of simply ticking a box to confirm your age online are over.

The UK has become one of the first countries to make it harder for internet users to consume pornography by requiring age verification measures, in an effort to prevent under-18s from viewing explicit content.

The move has sparked concern about users giving even more data and personal information to tech companies... and has raised questions about whether the process actually works.

So, with these laws gaining popularity overseas, could it happen in New Zealand, and how do we do it properly?

Today on The Front Page, Technology Users Association of New Zealand CEO Craig Young is with us to discuss how to balance safety with privacy online.

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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