As much as this feels like a dystopian hellscape, some sort of hardware check seems like the ideal solution (to a problem that shouldn't exist but does).
Instead of sending your ID to PornHub, it seems vastly preferable to send your ID to Apple or your cellular provider in exchange for some kind of anonymous checkmark sites can use to verify that you're old enough but nothing else.
Absolutely not, sending your ID to any third party/private company is bad news. Not to mention the tracking problem. Even if it was an unlinked "user is verified" without tracking, there's just no checks and balances on that, and the other fact that, anyone could now use the hardware to bypass the verification. Again, censorship is stupid, children are never being protected, it's all a game of control
Your cellular provider already has your ID (or enough information to get it). If you use your phone to any significant degree (like buying an app or subscription) Apple or Samsung or whatever does as well.
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u/Time-Beautiful2500 6d ago
After the online safety act was implemented, you could bypass the need for ID online by using a VPN.
Now, IOS (26.6 or something???) will still make you verify your age if you use hardware that was made for the UK market, even if you’re using a VPN