Age verification changed the internet in 2025 – here's what it means for your privacy in 2026

Half of the US population now needs to verify their age to view certain content online. Meanwhile, people in the UK, Europe, and Australia are increasingly required to scan passports or undergo facial age estimation to access adult sites, social media, and even search engines.

With more countries set to join the fold in 2026, the era of anonymous browsing is rapidly declining.

Mandatory age verification is a response to an online world that many governments believe has become too dangerous for children. But experts are sounding the alarm, warning that these solutions may do more harm than good.

Digital rights groups say ...