child-safety

The 2-Minute Defeat: Why the EU's Child Safety App is a Case Study in Security Theater

John Z Black Apr 21, 2026

Policy, Law & Governance #eu #age-verification #identity #privacy #child-safety

The EU's high-profile age verification app was cracked in under two minutes by a security consultant. It turns out storing sensitive tokens in an unencrypted local text file is not 'Safe by Design.' Here is what happens when PR outpaces engineering.

Regulators on Both Sides of the Atlantic Are Forcing Platforms to Verify Who's Online

John Z Black Mar 27, 2026

Policy, Law & Governance #age-verification #privacy #apple #snapchat #dsa #child-safety #uk-online-safety-act #regulation

Apple rolled out mandatory age verification for all UK iPhone users. The EU opened a formal DSA investigation into Snapchat. The era of anonymous sign-ups is ending, and it's moving faster than most platforms planned.

New Mexico Handed Meta a $375 Million Jury Verdict on Child Safety. Every State AG Is Watching.

John Z Black Mar 25, 2026

Policy, Law & Governance #meta #child-safety #platform-accountability #new-mexico #uk #privacy #regulation

A New Mexico jury just handed Meta its first courtroom defeat over child safety: a $375 million verdict after six weeks of trial. It's not a settlement. It's a proof of concept for state AGs everywhere.