This right now is being presented to the public as a “protect children from online porn” act. In Canada, it’s Bill S-210 and Bill S-203 which are about to be passed or may have been already by the time you read this. In the USA, it’s being introduced at the state level as the Protect Minors Act
On the surface, this looks great! Who wouldn’t want to protect the minds of children from the toxic pollution of porn? Especially considering most porn online looks like borderline rape and abuse. That’s a whole different can of worms. To some degree, I am personally annoyed with bots and fake accounts on big name social media because people say things they normally wouldn’t say if their real identity was visible, but I also understand some people do that because they have jobs and careers that prevent them from speaking their minds. It’s really a complicated situation.
The problem with these bills is that they are precursors to the hidden agenda of where they will eventually lead. All roads to hell are built with good intentions. Will it be weaponized against the public, like most things are? We have to wait and see, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens to do more than what it’s originally introduced as. You give government an inch and they’ll take a mile. That and it’s easier to get laws written than removed, so we have to tread lightly as a society.
At the end of the day, I am grateful for the open source community and the state it’s in today. We have an abundance of options and solutions to address most challenges that come our way. And if we don’t have one? Someone will likely spearhead a new project.
The cup is always half full on my table 