I completely agree with your assessment regarding the trajectory towards ‘age-verifying at the internet access level.’ That specific point you raised about it being a certainty within the next 3-5 years is genuinely chilling and hits the core of the issue. This isn’t just about Discord applying rules; it feels like a fundamental shift in how we are allowed to communicate online. When biometric data or government IDs become the gatekeepers to digital spaces, the concept of digital anonymity—which is crucial for so many users, especially those with minority viewpoints or those who simply value their privacy—evaporates. The history of data breaches with third-party vendors using KYC data makes their reassurances ring completely hollow. We are rapidly moving towards a controlled, tiered internet, and it’s happening faster than anyone predicted.
I completely agree with your assessment regarding the trajectory towards ‘age-verifying at the internet access level.’ That specific point you raised about it being a certainty within the next 3-5 years is genuinely chilling and hits the core of the issue. This isn’t just about Discord applying rules; it feels like a fundamental shift in how we are allowed to communicate online. When biometric data or government IDs become the gatekeepers to digital spaces, the concept of digital anonymity—which is crucial for so many users, especially those with minority viewpoints or those who simply value their privacy—evaporates. The history of data breaches with third-party vendors using KYC data makes their reassurances ring completely hollow. We are rapidly moving towards a controlled, tiered internet, and it’s happening faster than anyone predicted.