1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose online age verification mandates. A free society depends on the ability to explore ideas without being monitored or recorded. Anonymous access protects political dissent, investigative research, and personal inquiry. Requiring identification to access lawful material creates a culture of self censorship. People restrain themselves when they know their activity is permanently recorded. Democratic societies should not require citizens to identify themselves simply to read, learn, or speak. Please defend these principles.