The United Kingdom plans to ban social media for users under 16 unless they verify their age. Critics worry this could give big tech companies more personal data, potentially making them stronger and increasing risks for everyone.
The United Kingdom recently announced a new plan for social media use. Soon, people under 16 will need to prove their age to use popular apps like Instagram and TikTok.
To verify age, these companies might ask for government ID or even facial scans. This means they could collect very sensitive personal information from millions of users.
Some worry this new rule could give powerful tech companies even more data. This information might be used to make them richer or could be stolen, putting users at risk.
Instead of age checks, some suggest better ways to protect children online. They propose stronger laws to protect everyone's personal data.
Making it easier for smaller, privacy-focused apps to compete could also help. This would give families more choices for safe online experiences.
