Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association today shared concerns about HB 570, a Louisiana proposal that would require online platforms to implement age verification measures that could compromise user privacy and fail to deliver consistent results. While CCIA shares the bill sponsor’s goal of protecting children online, in testimony to the House Commerce Committee, the Association urged lawmakers to consider the limitations and risks of the proposed approach.
The bill would require platforms to use tools such as facial age estimation or collection of sensitive personal data – for example, driver’s licenses – to verify a user’s age. However, recent research by the National Institute of Standards and Technology highlights how facial age estimation tools vary in accuracy based on a range of factors, including sex, image quality, region of birth, and age, with significantly different results across demographic groups. These tools remain a work in progress and should not be relied on as a regulatory standard.
Additionally, the Association noted that requiring users to submit personal identification would mean collecting more private information, which could be a concern to families who prioritize both privacy and online safety in their homes.
Similar state laws mandating age verification or estimation already face constitutional challenges across the country, with courts placing several of them on hold due to First Amendment and privacy concerns.
The following statement can be attributed to Tom Mann, State Policy Manager for CCIA:
“Every age verification method involves trade-offs among privacy, accuracy, and cost – especially for smaller platforms and startups. Facial age estimation tools are not yet consistent across all groups, and asking families to hand over more personal data is a big ask with real privacy implications. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution here, and Louisiana should proceed with caution.”
