1. United States
2. Iowa
3. Letter

The recently enacted Online Safety Act in the UK poses significant risks to individual privacy and freedom of expression. Requiring users to verify their age through facial recognition or government-issued ID to access certain online content is an alarming overreach that threatens civil liberties. Even non-explicit platforms like Spotify and Wikipedia are being impacted, limiting access to information and artistic expression. Mandating online platforms to implement invasive age verification measures sets a dangerous precedent for internet censorship and surveillance. This not only jeopardizes user privacy but also compromises security by creating centralized databases of sensitive biometric data vulnerable to breaches or misuse. Such requirements could disproportionately impact marginalized communities already facing discrimination. Furthermore, the rise in VPN usage to circumvent these rules highlights public resistance to such overreaching legislation. We must protect the open internet and prevent further erosion of digital rights under the guise of online safety. A balanced approach respecting privacy and free speech is crucial. I urge you to proactively oppose any similar legislation that may be proposed in our nation to uphold civil liberties in the digital age.