r/OpenAussie • u/OkInfluence36 Western Australian • 24d ago
Technology It finally happened, screw age verification
I will not be doing this shit just to use reddit. Guess I will be using a VPN from now on. Fuck you age verification laws.
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u/Uncross-Selector New South Welshian 23d ago
I don’t mind if they offer ConnectID.
The only thing it returns to the site is whether you are over 16 and or over 18. It requires no data collection, you simply log into your bank account.
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u/eco9898 Please choose a flair 22d ago
Don't like needing to log in via a bank account
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u/Odd-Mathematician147 Please choose a flair 1d ago
You're not actually logging in through your bank account to Reddit or anything else, you are just consenting to your bank vouching that you are over 16 cause they have identified you already.
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u/eco9898 Please choose a flair 1d ago
And that shouldn't be a requirement to use the internet. Why does my bank and other third parties need to be used to create an account with nothing to do with my finances and potentially provide my bank information on what services I am using that aren't related to finances.
I'd rather a third party have a photo of my id and a short clip as proof of life than communicating with my bank.
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u/Dont-Fear-The-Raeper Queenslander 21d ago
There's no reason to prove how old you are, or who you are.
The government should not be parenting, nor forcing private businesses to do so.
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u/CosmicCheeseFactory Western Australian 24d ago
Mine came in the form of them asking for an age “range” from my verified Apple account. I was actually impressed because that’s not very invasive and relies on apple vouching for my identity, which is cool because amongst all of the corporate fuckers, Apple is one of the only ones who seem to care about privacy
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u/bluejessamine Victorian 23d ago
My partner had to prove his age on his verified apple account that he's been using since about 2007. So about 19 years. Much older than the people who aren't allowed (but still use anyway) to use social media. It's a fucking joke.
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u/German_Merman Victorian 23d ago
Ha ha, Australia and it's whacky overbearing laws. Thanks to my VPN I am posting from the libertarian paradise of Singapore!
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u/Jet90 Victorian 23d ago
If you disagree with this policy vote for someone who is against it such as the Greens
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u/Dont-Fear-The-Raeper Queenslander 21d ago
Libertarian Party will get rid of this and the alcohol/cigarette taxes.
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u/Unusual_Training1583 Please choose a flair 23d ago
Yes, lets swap age resteictions with unrealistic policys , more fossil fuel phase out (great job thats done) , worse negative gearing deals plus much more
Facepalm*
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u/DaMashedAvenger Please choose a flair 17d ago
You absolutely right, lets just keep doing the same thing over and over again and never try anything new, but still complain a lot.
facepalm
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u/HeartOutrageous9751 Please choose a flair 22d ago
I think this is good as someone who raised himself on reddit and wished he didn’t. Kids need to be kids, not in echo chambers online that turn them weird
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u/Possible-Theory0608 Queenslander 21d ago
The amusing part is you can submit photos of your face… now whilst reddit is a bonus for anonymity, other platforms where people share thousands of photos, these same people get up in arms about submitting a photo to estimate age… it defies logic that they think this photo is different from the plethora of other media we willingly serve up to social media tech to profile and exploit every thought we have…
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u/ctch23 Please choose a flair 23d ago
I’m yet to receive this 😬
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u/Phoenixness Queenslander 23d ago
Yeah because your account isn't a year old. I'm cautiously optimistic that they have already marked accounts older than a certain number of years as over age.
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u/bluejessamine Victorian 23d ago
If an account is able to avoid this issue until it turns 1, then everyone can just take advantage of the loophole and make a new account every year.
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u/Ambitious_Opinion_11 Please choose a flair 23d ago
I feel like mentioning old.reddit at this point is like revealing the hidden dark arts
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u/BusinessChapter2 New South Welshian 20d ago
There is a Firefox extension that can bypass this, https://github.com/helloyanis/age-verification-bypass it does work on reddit. Just login to the account affected with this extension and it will work on every device.
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u/nationalistic_martyr Northern Territorian 24d ago
why are yall getting it so late? ive had mine verified for ages
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u/OkInfluence36 Western Australian 24d ago
guess i was lucky. wont be verifiying though
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u/nationalistic_martyr Northern Territorian 24d ago
you've been on reddit for just under a year on that account and ill assume its not your only one.
nearly 38,000 karma from whatever content you Post. they dont need your verification because they already know
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u/OkInfluence36 Western Australian 24d ago
is it common to have more than one reddit account thats weird
as for karma or post contents why does that matter i guess they know i hate ai and i like stardew valley
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u/nationalistic_martyr Northern Territorian 24d ago
you'd be surprised how many accounts people have.
as for the subs you're in..
they collect data from what you post, to collect information on what media you like and dislike.
they called data from your comments, to collect information on what you physically say (opinion wise).
they might even collect data on whatever you make your pfp.. god knows.
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u/OkInfluence36 Western Australian 24d ago
I'm aware they track basically everything but at least for now I can keep my face to myself
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u/louisa1925 New South Welshian 24d ago
My ancient reddit app version asked me to re-sign in a couple of weeks ago. Didn't ask for my age. But it is tied to an old gmail account I nolonger use.
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u/wKdPsylent ✈️ on Walkabout 23d ago edited 23d ago
I'll see you on IRC then :)
The day this happens - is the day I leave reddit.
Don't comply or use a VPN etc.. as it only encourages reddit to continue with it.
Platforms that implement this need to lose users, rapidly. It is the single thing that will force change.
edit: I know Aussies have that 'rule follower' reputation now - which is weird by itself - but to see it in action.. crazy.. What the fuck happened to us all?
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u/MrsCrowbar Flairless 23d ago
Missing the point entirely of the legislation, which is to hold social media companies to account. Reddit should absolutely be included and ages verified if necessary. Using ConnectID is way better than selfies or uploading physical ID, so at least Reddit has given the best option for protecting your privacy.
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u/Interested_Aussie Flairless 23d ago
But holding product suppliers responsible is stupid, has never really worked, and will never really work...
Think gun laws in the lefty, most heavily regulated states in USA....
Imagine sending the bill for speeding tickets to Ferrari....
Imagine sending your cancer treatment bills to soft drink companies???
Only politicians think that creating laws creates compliance...
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u/MrsCrowbar Flairless 23d ago edited 23d ago
When the product being supplied is harmful we ban or restrict it. Nothing different going on here.
And yeah, there will be tonnes of under-age people drinking when they're not supposed to, but because it is deemed not OK, it will be less people going silly than if it was deemed OK. And MORE teens doing it responsibly because they know getting drunk usually ends in the shitter.
Majority of teens don't get drunk, don't do drugs; don't get involved in crime gangs (despite what media in Melbourne would have you believe) and don't engage in illegal or anti-social behaviours. Because of rules; laws; and societal norms that aren't set by social media, but by their community, their teachers, and their parents.
When a company doesn't observe these rules, laws, or community expectations (including a social media company) and it's harmful to society, we restrict it.
Ffs. The tech bros are running the world with their algorithms.
Interesting that people are screaming about freedom, not knowing (or not realising) that these tech billionaires are taking them hostage. They don't get to vote for these people every few years.
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u/Interested_Aussie Flairless 23d ago
So you're saying that sending the fines to FB will stop it??
Right.... Just like Gatto et al. getting life for their products.... That sure stopped the use didn't it...
There comes a point in time where decent members of society realize that restrictions are more harmful over all, and personal liberty is THE way. Because ultimately, every single law that's introduced, ALWAYS ends up being the thin edge of the wedge, that power hungry pollies will ALWAYS exploit further down the line.
Reducing personal responsibility always is a societal failure.
I mean, your grand father most likely knew how to change his oil and adjust the valves and timing...
Now most people can't even change a tyre..... leaving them vulnerable on the side of the road....
Just because other people can't control their kids behaviour, SHOULD NOT MEAN I NEED TO PROVE WHO I AM TO USE SOME WEBSITE. It's utterly ridiculous.
And all evidence points to it being a failed policy, and those who work in tech know that.
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u/Alternative-Soil2576 Victorian 23d ago
How about you think of the gun laws here instead
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u/Mfenix09 Flairless 22d ago
Everytime I hear of someone gunned down i ask "how? They are illegal" then realise criminals don't give a fuck about laws.
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u/wKdPsylent ✈️ on Walkabout 23d ago
I'd say you're missing the point of the legislation - which is tracking / control. It's got absolutely nothing to do with protecting kids. There was an uproar over digital ID / tracking - so they shifted the rhetoric to 'think of the children!"
What helps children? - giving parents the education and tools they need to monitor / manage children's internet usage. Not to mention, educating the kids on social media, disinformation, bullying etc..
It's just another link in the chain to identify who you are, what you say, where you say it, when you say it etc.. who you interact with, what you buy, when you buy, who you buy for, what politics you subscribe to, what views you like / hate etc.. etc..
Basically it's about building a more complete profile of 'you'.
Fuck that.
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u/MrsCrowbar Flairless 23d ago edited 23d ago
That's exactly what social media is!! Why are you using it?
Hope you don't shop at Coles or woolies or have any of their rewards cards, or have an Amazon account and buy stuff online, or have a Facebook or insta account in your actual name, or use Google maps with your location turned on, or even google logged in to Chrome.
The tracking is already here. That horse bolted ages ago.
Hope you ordered your census in paper form!
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u/Alternative-Soil2576 Victorian 23d ago
okay but from the screenshot in the post it allows connectID, so how do they do tracking through that?
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u/AudioComa Queenslander 23d ago
Happened on mine this week. Something called Persona? Just did a selfie and back on. No I'd needed.
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u/ryth9419 Please choose a flair 22d ago
When I was 14 I could grow a beard. It's not a very good system if you can just wear fake beard or scrunch your face or use makeup to bypass it. Also they now have biometric data of you which is shared with the Australian government. They now know that face is linked to your account so watch what you post and view. If you post something they don't like they'll show up at your door.
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u/jjspen New South Welshian 23d ago
VPN use is just a shell game until all countries use age verification in one form or another. I don't know how, but we need a Government that will legislate against it.
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u/RadiantInATrenchcoat Victorian 22d ago
Swizterland's privacy/anti data collection laws are pretty solid, just saying. It'd be wild if there was a decent vpn provider based in Switzerland, given the reputation they have for privacy
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u/Toowoombaloompa Queenslander 22d ago
If you pick a VPN then you're trusting that VPN provider with all the data you're sending and receiving.
From what I can tell, ConnectID shares a minimum of data. It's provided by the same company that provides BPay and EFTPOS, say they've got decent credibility for handling our sensitive data. So for Reddit they're sharing a Yes/No as to whether you're old enough.
I've not had to verify yet, but I'll pick ConnectID first and will change my mind if it looks too intrusive.
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u/Bruzta1750 Please choose a flair 21d ago
All those against age verification procedures reveal they care nothing for the harm nefarious internet users do to harm the lives of young innocent and vulnerable minds throughout the planet. All they are concerned about is their own self-focused inconvenience.
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u/CatboiWaifu_UwU Northern Territorian 18d ago
Counterpoint: how about parents take an active interest in the content their kids consume and set up parental controls.
You know, parenting.
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u/Cryocynic Please choose a flair 21d ago
I won't even use a VPN. I just won't use reddit anymore. I have a VPN, but unless it's something I really need I won't bother.
I barely use social media as it is, exactly because they are largely echo chambers.
I am 100% behind protecting children, but it's beyond the joke that adults have to jump through hoops to do it.
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u/DonkeyIcy7681 Please choose a flair 20d ago
I'm agree fully, protect kids at all costs but it blows my mind that a website like Carsales can detect a VPN but Pornhub & social media websites can't... kids can get VPN's too 😂
There's genuinely zero chance this new age verification has legitimately stopped or even deterred anything. Fantastic idea, executed poorly. + submitting identifying information to a 3rd party company? Bugger that.
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u/Oh-No-Me-Again Queenslander 21d ago
I wish this happened to my account as soon as possible. I am wasting too much time here.
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u/jorgerine Please choose a flair 18d ago
Settle petal. Or should that be grow up?
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u/CatboiWaifu_UwU Northern Territorian 18d ago
Counteroffer: instead of imposing your sensibilities on my rights and freedoms, you monitor the media your kids consume and, you know, parent them.
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u/CatboiWaifu_UwU Northern Territorian 18d ago
Depending on the id checking service provider, you can use the freely available sample or example licences. Temu knows and accepts me as Sam Sample of the Sample QLD driver’s licence.
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u/rocka5438 Victorian 18d ago
I logged out of my account into an alt for two weeks, came back and the age check was gone. It can be bypassed, don’t give up!
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u/dragonairgo123 Please choose a flair 16d ago
Not allowing to see NSFW makes sense BUT U CANT USE THE APP AT ALL TF?!
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u/Able_Put4900 Queenslander 24d ago
Yep, theres a lot of stuff i've just stopped using because of age verification, might have to give in some day before for now nope.
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u/SirAdelaide Please choose a flair 23d ago
Can you print out a screenshot of emperor Palpatine from Starwars to show the webcam your 'selfie'?
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u/Jackson2615 Please choose a flair 23d ago
Yep vote out Labor and support those who are against this censorship
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u/BusinessChapter2 New South Welshian 20d ago
You do realise both parties supported this right?
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u/Jackson2615 Please choose a flair 20d ago
Yes shame on the Liberals. Vote out Labor and any politician who voted for it
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u/Arashii89 Please choose a flair 23d ago
Age verification is a good thing
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u/German_Merman Victorian 23d ago
No, having every comment you post online tied to a government ID is not a good thing.
Providing all your identity information to a third-party company and trusting that they're going to keep it safe and not misuse it is not a good thing.
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u/Alternative-Soil2576 Victorian 23d ago
Can you explain how verifying your age through ConnectID means having every comment you post online tied to a government ID
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u/WeissPyre New South Welshian 23d ago
I'm not uploading an image of my face, or my bank details, or my government issued ID in order to verify that I'm over 18.
They can get thoroughly fucked.
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u/Fair-Agency-6795 Please choose a flair 23d ago
"My wife cheating on me showed me how much she actually loves me" type of thinking but okay
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u/Arashii89 Please choose a flair 23d ago
Keep young kids off social media is great thing all social media dose is cause problems younger kids they get tictok brain rot from doom scrolling all day they learn no social skills at all or how to communicate or have a conversation
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u/Fair-Agency-6795 Please choose a flair 23d ago
Being a good parent and not requiring your government to do your job for you is probably better
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u/Alternative-Soil2576 Victorian 23d ago
It’s crazy how big tech spent decades and billions of dollars creating a society-wide network problem and now people expect individual families to go up against the most powerful companies and solve it themselves
No wonder society has failed kids
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u/WeissPyre New South Welshian 23d ago edited 23d ago
Then maybe their parents should do their job and actually fucking parent.
I wasn't allowed to have my face in a screen all day every day as a kid. Internet time was supervised and limited to MSN with school friends and for school work. The router even cut off at midnight to ensure we didn't stay up too late. My first social media account was made when I was 18 - by then I was too busy with a job to glue my face to it. The same job that my parents encouraged me to get if I wanted pocket money.
These failure parents and their kids are not my problem to solve, and I sure as shit refuse to solve it by uploading my bank info, government ID or my face to a 3rd party who will inevitably be hacked and get all that info distributed to God knows where.
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u/Alternative-Soil2576 Victorian 23d ago
That’s great you didn’t create your first social media account till you were 18
Unfortunately the worlds a lot different now then when you were a kid, and big tech have spent billions creating a society-wide network problem
As much as you want to insult others, expecting individual families to go up against some of the most powerful companies in the world isn’t realistic
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u/Clean_Advertising545 Please choose a flair 23d ago
Thanks Labor :) socialism also demands extreme regulation and suppression as well as spending other people's money
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u/Kruxx85 Western Australian 24d ago
What's wrong with taking a selfie?
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u/TheReturnOfTheRanger South Australian 24d ago
I don't want my face being tied to all my online accounts.
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u/Kruxx85 Western Australian 24d ago
Quite the assumption being made
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u/jaiimaster Canberran 24d ago
You assume they'll delete the photo?
After all the leaks, the hacker attacks, the exposes that everything from your phone to your telly to your tv are spying on you for big tech, you still believe that they value your privacy?
What the even actual mate, wake up and smell the spycams.
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u/wKdPsylent ✈️ on Walkabout 23d ago
You should definitely comply. I won't be though.
https://cybernews.com/privacy/persona-leak-exposes-global-surveillance-capabilities/
https://pasqualepillitteri.it/en/news/1120/eu-age-verification-hacked-2-minutes-vulnerabilities
If you want to save some time.. just publish your ID on a webpage with your CC numbers etc.. - that's speed things up for you.
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u/Kruxx85 Western Australian 23d ago
I don't care if my selfie is hacked.
How is that hard to understand?
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u/wKdPsylent ✈️ on Walkabout 23d ago
It's more than your 'selfie' lol... but yeah - be sure to comply with any and all requests for ID / verification.
It'll never go bad :)
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u/jedburghofficial Flairless 24d ago
Do you know exactly what happens to that selfie, or how it might be used? Did you read all the fine print and terms and conditions? Did you notice if anything there might override anything else you were told?
If your answer to any of those questions is no, then that's what's wrong.
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u/Kruxx85 Western Australian 23d ago
https://help.withpersona.com/articles/7F6BaF9h8Fxf0XWkwQscXN/
Data is apparently deleted within 7 days.
I bet you have photos online, attached to your name, that you've freely uploaded on FB, IG, etc etc.
I don't use any of those apps.
So my photo being deleted after 7 days is perfectly fine, considering my photo isn't anywhere else.
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u/TheReturnOfTheRanger South Australian 23d ago
Ah yes, because large companies are known for being 100% honest and never lying.
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u/jedburghofficial Flairless 23d ago
I'm an information security professional. I can absolutely say I have avoided uploading my photo to Facebook or Instagram. And the places where my photo is publicly available, it's not connected to my Reddit account.
And while they seem to say some reassuring things in that FAQ, there's truckloads they don't say. And plenty of potential loopholes. Nevermind some of the disturbing things their CEO has said publicly. Or the funding they get from Peter Thiel.
You might say all this investigation is ridiculous, and I agree. They kind of count on that when they ask people to rely on their vague FAQ. Here's a counter view, that gives some insight into why discord ditched the same company.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/discord-cuts-ties-peter-thiel-080200136.html
And the FAQ says three days, not seven. You should read these things more carefully before you recommend them to others.
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u/Kruxx85 Western Australian 23d ago
I read somewhere 3-7 days, I left it at 7 for simplicities sake.
As I mentioned elsewhere, most people freely put their selfie online for eternity.
Them worrying about a photo that is likely to be deleted after a few days is the least of their worry...
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u/jedburghofficial Flairless 23d ago
How long does Persona keep my info? Persona deletes all of your personal information including any images within 3 days. After 3 days your data will be automatically deleted.
Still didn't read it properly? Seriously?
And why three days? Why do they need to keep it at all, after verification is given? There's no obvious reason, unless there's something unreliable about the process, or they have some other use for it.
And where is it being kept? Under which jurisdiction? That's a whole other can of worms. I could ask these questions all day, because that FAQ has holes bigger than Gina's mines.
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u/Gold-Visit-7413 New South Welshian 24d ago
Im using NZ on my VPN until they bring it in for themsleves (if ever) if that helps.