Vote No on the KIDS Act – Age Verification Puts Everyone’s Privacy At Risk

I urge you to vote against the KIDS Act. While protecting children online is important, this bill creates a dangerous surveillance infrastructure that threatens all Americans. The KIDS Act requires age verification to access online platforms—meaning collecting government IDs, facial scans, or behavioral tracking from everyone. This isn't just about kids; it creates permanent records linking your real identity to everything you read, watch, and post online. These records are vulnerable. Verification companies have already leaked government IDs, photos, addresses, and billing information. Unlike a password, you cannot reset your face or ID number after a breach. Beyond security risks, this destroys anonymous speech—a refuge for whistleblowers, abuse survivors, journalists, and people researching sensitive topics. When people know their identity is recorded, they self-censor. Once this identification infrastructure exists, it can be expanded for any purpose. Age verification started with adult content and has already crept toward social media and messaging apps. Additionally, the bill preempts stronger state protections, limiting your constituents' rights. Please vote no on the KIDS Act and protect both children and the privacy and free expression of all Americans.