FSC’s Alison Boden Testifies Against California Age-Verification Bill

Free Speech Coalition Executive Director Alison Boden testified against AB-3080, an age-verification bill introduced in the California Assembly, and heard yesterday in the Assembly’s Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection. Despite widespread opposition from groups including Electronic Frontier Foundation, Woodhull Action Fund, Netchoice and an array of sex ed, LGBTQ+, reproductive rights advocates, a motion to pass the bill to the Judiciary committee succeeded.

AB-3080 would require sites with more than one-third “material harmful to minors” to scan government IDs or otherwise verify the identity of the user.  The bill, introduced by Modesto Asm. Juan Alanis (R), was originally drafted by the socially conservative Citizens for Renewing America and supported by religious groups including the California Catholic Conference and California Baptists for Biblical Values.

Boden testified before the committee, explaining the multitude of technological, constitutional, and privacy-related issues inherent in online age-verification. Still, proponents of the bill came out in force, including the Age Verification Providers Association, Exodus Cry, and Concerned Women for America, who all testified in favor. The bill passed out of committee and will next be heard by the Judiciary Committee.

“This is a terribly flawed bill that never should have advanced out of committee, especially not one focused on consumer privacy,” says Boden. “If we’re going to defeat these dangerous, unconstitutional bills, we’re going to need to be there to make sure all of our voices are heard. We have a strong base in this state, and we need all Californians to reach out to their legislators to let them know the issues with AB-3080.”

Those who want to speak out against age-verification in California can do so here.