Sad Boyz They're Censoring The Whole Internet (w/ Tom Scott)
Aug 23, 2025
Tom Scott, a British YouTuber and educator, dives into the complexities of age verification on the internet, weighing privacy concerns against the need for security. He recounts his humorous journey of overcoming his rollercoaster fears, and the conversation flows to regional accents and cultural quirks, such as the differences in driving between the US and UK. The evolution of malls into entertainment hubs sparks a nostalgic discussion about community identity, while insights into gambling and censorship provoke thoughts about governmental oversight and personal freedoms.
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Use Device IDs And Zero-Knowledge Proofs
- Use existing device identity systems (Apple/Google) or government digital IDs to verify age instead of uploading photos to many sites.
- Implement zero-knowledge proofs so sites learn only "over 18" without getting full PII.
Third Parties Multiply Privacy Risk
- Outsourcing age checks to third parties multiplies privacy risk by creating many data holders.
- Each extra place storing IDs increases attack surface and weak-link failures.
Limit Data Shared With Sites
- Avoid asking users to upload IDs to every site; centralize verification with trusted providers.
- Limit what sites receive to necessary attributes (e.g., "over 18") rather than full identity details.
