US industry and advocacy groups warn against mandatory age verification laws
Several US organisations have urged Congress to reconsider proposals that would require mandatory age verification for online services, citing concerns about privacy, data security, and constitutional rights.
A coalition of US organisations has raised concerns about legislative proposals that would require online services to verify users’ ages before granting access. In a letter dated 18 February 2026 and addressed to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the groups argue that mandatory age verification could create privacy, security, and constitutional risks.
The letter acknowledges the importance of protecting minors from harmful online content but questions whether broad age-verification mandates are an appropriate solution. According to the signatories, such requirements could lead to the collection of sensitive personal data, including government-issued identification or biometric information. They argue that this approach conflicts with the principle of data minimisation, which seeks to limit the amount of personal data collected and stored.
The document also highlights concerns about the technical reliability of current age-estimation tools, noting that some systems have documented error rates and may disproportionately affect certain demographic groups. In addition, the letter argues that mandatory verification could restrict adults’ access to online content and create barriers for individuals without standard identification documents.
The signatories further raise constitutional considerations, referring to court rulings that protect anonymous speech and access to lawful content. They caution that requiring identity verification for access to online services may have a deterrent effect on participation in digital public spaces.
As an alternative, the organisations call for a comprehensive federal privacy law and encourage the exploration of less intrusive, voluntary age-assurance mechanisms that provide greater user control over data.
The letter was signed by Americans for Prosperity, the Center for Democracy and Technology, and the Software & Information Industry Association
