I’m watching how quickly age verification is becoming a part of every policy proposal. None of this is about age, it’s all ultimately about identity.
Cryptographer Matthew D.
Brief
Matthew D. Green observed on 2026-06-22 that age verification requirements are quickly becoming common across policy proposals and argued the trend is misframed: these measures are not primarily about checking age but about building systems for verifying identity, with broader implications for surveillance and identity infrastructure.
Why it matters
Cryptographer Matthew D. Green (@matthew_d_green) warned on 2026-06-22 that age verification clauses are rapidly appearing in many policy proposals.
Key details
- Green asserts the real goal is identity verification — "None of this is about age, it’s all ultimately about identity" — implying policy pushes expand identity infrastructure rather than solely protecting minors.