App age verification isn’t just a theoretical concept being debated in Congress. A number of laws have already passed that require platforms to verify age for users in select states.
For example, the Twitter/X alternative Bluesky went offline for me in August rather than comply with an age verification law where I live. This week, I can use the app again — as long as I share a bit of personal information with a third-party service I’ve never heard of.
This is likely a preview of what to expect for more apps in more places going forward.
VPN as a temporary bypass
For now, age verification is easily bypassed by using a VPN (virtual private network). This allows you to hide your real IP address and instead use one from another part of the country or world.
Some browsers offer free VPN service for website access. A paid service is usually required for an operating system-wide or wifi network-wide VPN. These broader solutions are required for use within apps.
A VPN works “for now” as long as age verification is siloed to a handful of states. Policy at the federal level would mean using a VPN to use an IP address from another country, which may have its own restrictive policies.
Actual age verification process
With that in mind, here’s what actual age verification looks like in practice.
On Monday, Bluesky stopped blocking access from where I live and instead started offering age verification that complies with state law. Here’s how that looks:
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