Age checks risk locking out millions of unlicensed adults from digital services

The short version

• Global age verification laws are expanding rapidly, requiring proof of identity for social media access.
• These mandates often rely on government-issued documents like passports or driver’s licenses.
• Millions of adults globally lack such IDs, facing potential exclusion from essential digital services.

The details

Age verification proposals are frequently framed as a straightforward trade-off between privacy and child safety, according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation. However, this perspective overlooks the impact on individuals who cannot verify their age at all. This issue becomes critical when regulations require users to prove their age using specific identity documents. The EFF highlights that this creates a fundamental barrier for people without access to such paperwork.

The regulatory landscape is shifting quickly across multiple jurisdictions. In the past year, there has been a sharp increase in mandatory age assurance requirements for social media and other high-risk digital services. Australia became the first country to implement a minimum age requirement, prohibiting children under 16 from creating or holding social media accounts in late 2025, according to the report.

India has passed the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, which includes mandatory verifiable parental consent and involves ongoing discussions regarding social media restrictions. The United Kingdom passed the Online Safety Act, requiring age verification across a broad range of services that host content considered harmful to users under 18. More than half of the states in the US have also enacted similar age verification laws.

An EU Commission expert report recommends banning social media access for users under 13. It also advises mandatory age verification for platforms to ensure content is age-appropriate. These measures collectively represent a global trend toward stricter digital identity requirements for online participation.

The context

Laws predicated on the necessity of possessing a current passport, driver’s license, credit card, or similar identity documents exclude critical sections of the population. This problem is global, with millions of people lacking government-issued identification or facing regular challenges in obtaining or updating it. The EFF notes that this exclusion affects access to online content and services that increasingly require verified age status.

In the US, roughly 15 million adult citizens lack a driver’s license, and a further 2.6 million lack any government photo ID. This leaves large groups potentially blocked from online services that implement strict verification protocols. The UK faces a similar predicament, where proof-of-age checks often rely on passports or driver’s licenses, posing unique challenges for those without these documents.

Much of the advocacy surrounding age verification focuses on privacy harms. However, the EFF argues that the exclusion of unverified adults is a more fundamental issue. The reliance on specific forms of identification creates a digital divide, where access to information and services is determined by one’s ability to produce official documentation.

Defender's checklist

Organisations implementing age verification systems should assess the diversity of identification methods they accept. Relying solely on government-issued photo IDs may exclude significant portions of the user base. Companies should consider alternative verification methods that do not require traditional documentation.

Policymakers and advocacy groups should highlight the exclusionary impact of strict ID requirements on vulnerable populations. Ensuring that digital services remain accessible to all adults, regardless of their documentation status, is crucial for equitable internet access.

What to do and how to stay safe: age verification

• Check if your local age verification laws require specific government-issued IDs for social media access.
• Explore alternative age verification methods offered by platforms, such as third-party assurance services.
• Advocate for inclusive policies that allow for non-document-based age verification options.
• Monitor updates from regulatory bodies regarding changes to age assurance requirements.

Step-by-step guide: What is online tracking: how data follows you and how to stop it

General security guidance from the Cipher Insider newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.

Frequently asked questions

Which countries have implemented strict age verification laws for social media?

Australia, India, the UK, and more than half of US states have enacted such laws, according to the EFF.

How many adults in the US lack a driver’s license?

Roughly 15 million adult US citizens lack a driver’s license, with 2.6 million lacking any government photo ID.

What documents are typically required for age verification?

Laws often require passports, driver’s licenses, credit cards, or similar identity documents, excluding those without them.