By Cory Doctorow (GPG 0xBF3D9110957E5F4C) @doctorow.pluralistic.net · 23/06/2026So it's not just a weird alliance of anti-Big Tech crusaders and the conspiratorial right that's pushing for age verification - they are unwitting allies of the very tech industry they think they're fighting. 8/ 1426
By Cory Doctorow (GPG 0xBF3D9110957E5F4C) @doctorow.pluralistic.net · 23/06/2026Those tech industry insiders are fully aware that an "age verification" mandate is really a way for the government to teach every child how to use a VPN. They're also fully aware that the next move is to *ban VPNs*: www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2217... 9/express.co.ukVPN ban on table in July as Labour confirm 'further statement'VPNs could face restrictions following the social media ban announced on Monday. 38120
By Cory Doctorow (GPG 0xBF3D9110957E5F4C) @doctorow.pluralistic.net · 23/06/2026Tech bosses are the ones sitting on our shoulders saying, "Go ahead, swallow that fly - it'll be fine. And if you *do* have to swallow a spider afterward, well, that'll surely be the end of it": pluralistic.net/2026/05/19/s... 10/pluralistic.netPluralistic: There’s no such thing as “age verification” (19 May 2026) – Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow 1447
Jaroslav B. @jarda-b.bsky.social · 24/06/2026...and the next move will be to ban renting a server to install custom open-source VPN software 😆 Because you can still rent any machine anywhere in the world remotely and install whatever you need to run. 120
Gro-Tsen @gro-tsen.bsky.social · 25/06/2026Oh yes, OF COURSE, it's to “protect kids”. This comic again and always: 🔽Gro-Tsen@gro-tsen.bsky.socialAs usual, it's either “we need this to protect you against the dangerous terrorists” or “will someone please think of the children?”. (This cartoon is at least 20 years old, by the way. Some things just don't change. People fall for it every time.) 05521
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