age verification has a branding problem

The speaker discusses their initial apathy toward the issue of "age verification" and their realization that this term fails to convey the seriousness of proposed legislation. They explain that they initially dismissed emails about age verification due to the high volume of daily correspondence and the seemingly innocuous nature of the phrase. The term "age verification," for the speaker, evokes memories of simple "Are you over 13?" prompts on old internet forums, not a significant threat to personal freedom. They reflect on the channel's origin, where they discussed topics they initially felt ashamed or weird about, and how that openness led to its popularity. Applying this principle, they acknowledge their initial dismissal of age verification and now seek to address it thoroughly. The core problem, as the speaker identifies, is a "branding problem." In a world saturated with news cycles debating issues like immigration, COVID mandates, and international conflicts, "age verification" doesn't stand out as a pressing concern for most ordinary people. It sounds mundane, akin to showing ID for alcohol or a driver's license. However, the actual legislation being proposed is far more intrusive. The speaker explains that these bills would require individuals to prove their age to access or fully utilize an operating system. This proof would involve showing identification, effectively deanonymizing users to use their computers. Furthermore, it implies a centralized authority reviewing these IDs, potentially restricting computer access based on what that authority sees. The speaker argues this creates infrastructure that could allow the government to control who can and cannot use a personal computer. This development is particularly concerning in an era where personal computing freedom is already diminishing. The speaker points to trends like RAM manufacturers considering selling only to the server market, the pervasive subscription model for services, and popular devices like iPhones restricting app installation, with Android moving in a similar direction. Against this backdrop of decreasing freedom, a law requiring ID to make a computer function properly is seen as a significant and dangerous step. The speaker emphasizes that the true implication is the government's ability to decide who can use a personal computer, a prospect they describe as "horrible." They believe the term "age verification" is inadequate because it's boring and fails to convey the gravity of this potential control. When discussing it with others, they found that people quickly lose interest, comparing it to routine ID checks for purchasing beer. In a previous video, a related bill, initially called the "Parents Decide Act," was re-labeled by viewers as the "Government Decides Act," which the speaker found to be a good renaming for that specific bill. However, even "Government Decides Act" is deemed insufficient as a general term because it doesn't immediately convey the specific implications of government control over personal computing. While acknowledging that a federal version of this bill, sponsored by a Democratic congressman in New Jersey and a Republican congresswoman in New York, currently has a low chance of passing, the speaker notes its progression in states like Colorado and California, and similar efforts in the EU. They anticipate that such legislation will eventually gain federal traction, or even if it only passes at the state level, it remains a serious problem. The speaker appeals to the audience for help in rebranding this issue. They seek a name that immediately communicates the full implications of the proposed laws, preventing people from dismissing it as a trivial matter. They confess their own past guilt of scrolling past emails about it, realizing that if they, someone deeply invested in consumer rights and tech freedom, could be so easily dismissive, then many others would be too. The speaker concludes by reiterating the need for a better name and strong arguments, emphasizing that without effective branding, the fight against these laws will be a losing battle, as "age verification" simply sounds like a reasonable societal norm. They request suggestions in the comments.