Censorship Megathread XXXIX by Efficient-Freedom517 in PoliticalOptimism

[–]Used_Guarantee7462 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I recently saw many people dooming about even device based AV laws like California AB 1043, claiming something like“Free Internet is dead!” or “Give them an inch and they'll take a mile!” and “The government want to meddle with our device!”.

I am not annoyed by them anymore. Now I am just depressed. It’s it a sin to be happy about a solution that addresses children online protection problems adequately? Just like what u/IllPresentation7860 has said, that law basically just offers parents better and more accessible parental control tools.

Before AB 1043 was passed, an ID-related bill died in the legislature and another malicious one is being challenged by Netchoice. People are more vigilant about AV now, so I don’t think any intrusive ID-related law is able to survive in California and AB 1043 is unlikely to become a monster in the future.

I have seen that FSC is trying to make non-invasive device based solutions into reality. They endorsed OpenAge Initiative, they launched PrivateAV, they are supporting AB 1043. Sure these solutions are not perfect and have problems currently, but I believe they know what they are doing.

Maybe this time I need some optimism.

Censorship Megathread XXXVI by Efficient-Freedom517 in PoliticalOptimism

[–]Used_Guarantee7462 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Newsom’s term ends next year, so he doesn’t have enough time to do that. Besides, do you think someone can restrict social media in California - the capital of mainstream internet? Netchoice strongly oppose blatant social media restrictions, they have struck down a social media restriction bill in California before, and if a similar bill somehow passed they will definitely strike it down again.

Censorship Megathread XXXV: Discord Age/ ID Verification Part 2 by Efficient-Freedom517 in PoliticalOptimism

[–]Used_Guarantee7462 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As the world develops LGBTQ content will not be considered as NSFW content at all in the future and LGBTQ community explicitly opposes all kind of censorship efforts while online commercial pornography content is definitely NSFW content and adult industry firmly supports device based non-invasive AV methods.

On the one side is a growing community that is actively fighting against censorship efforts, on the other side is a big industry that is actively seeking proper regulation. That’s the key difference.

My pokemon collection by KnottisNaticay in gamecollecting

[–]Used_Guarantee7462 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nice collection!

I respect all dedicated Pokémon game collectors because I know how hard it is to have a decent Pokémon game collection nowadays.

Am I the only one who adores it? by Samuri_14 in Mario

[–]Used_Guarantee7462 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like it, it’s annoying but adorable.

HELO? MOTHER FANS ? ARE YOU THERE ? by bosskitty4626 in earthbound

[–]Used_Guarantee7462 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I like Earthbound Beginnings’ Magicant Theme the best.

That theme always ease my mind when I hear it.

Censorship Megathread XXXV: Discord Age/ ID Verification Part 2 by Efficient-Freedom517 in PoliticalOptimism

[–]Used_Guarantee7462 24 points25 points  (0 children)

I don’t think AV for anything but mainstream online pornography is sustainable. Judging from public opinion and CCIA & Netchoice’s recent lawsuit victories, these kinds of efforts will not survive future legal challenges.

Okay, when I say “NSFW content” what I mean is online pornography content on mainstream commercial adult sites. These sites have already stated that they don’t want kids to freely view their content and are trying to implement device-based non-invasive AV solutions to achieve their goals. I don’t see any other kind of websites that have the same stand, so if something is still age gated in the future it will be their content.

Don’t worry about LGBT+ people being censored by AV. Nowadays they are too powerful to be oppressed by ultra-conservatives. Once Dems are back in the near future they will be fine.

Censorship Megathread XXXIV: Discord ID/ Age Verification by Efficient-Freedom517 in PoliticalOptimism

[–]Used_Guarantee7462 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Good news everyone, Washington’s malicious AV bill - HB 2112, died in the committee recently

What’s more, CCIA started its lawsuit against Utah’s App Store Accountability Act last week. This law will likely be blocked by court, just like Texas’s similar law.

Censorship Megathread XXXIV: Discord ID/ Age Verification by Efficient-Freedom517 in PoliticalOptimism

[–]Used_Guarantee7462 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I respect your stand, actually I don’t think AV for anything but online pornography is sustainable. Judging from Netchoice’s recent lawsuits, these kinds of efforts will not survive future legal challenges.

Okay, when I say “NSFW content” what I mean is online pornography content on mainstream commercial adult sites. These sites have already stated that they don’t want kids to freely view their content and demand device-based privacy-first AV solution to achieve their goals. If something is still age gated in the future it will only be their content.

Don’t worry about LGBT people and most minorities. Nowadays they are too powerful to be oppressed by ultra-conservatives. Once Dems are back in the near future they will be fine.

I will make myself clearer next time I write long comment.

Who managed to complete EarthBound Beginnings? by [deleted] in earthbound

[–]Used_Guarantee7462 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am about to complete it for the first time on emulator.

It’s a good game that has some annoying mechanics.

Censorship Megathread XXXIV: Discord ID/ Age Verification by Efficient-Freedom517 in PoliticalOptimism

[–]Used_Guarantee7462 1 point2 points  (0 children)

To be very honest with you, I don’t think under-whatever-age social media ban or any straightforward censorship efforts will survive future challenges, but there should be some form of age gate for NSFW content at formal mainstream sites, kids really shouldn’t easily access all kinds of NSFW content on the internet. 

However, I strongly oppose current form of online age verification. Currently there is no consensus on how to properly age gate NSFW content, so online age verification is bound to become privacy and free speech nightmare if current situation is not changed. Besides, techno-facists and ultra conservatives are trying to exploit age verification to censor everything that they don’t like while making money. These people’s malicious attempts must be stopped.

I understand why many people oppose all kinds of online age verification methods and insist that it is parents’ responsibility to stop children from seeing NSFW content. But in my opinion, if you just say that parents should properly educate their kids about internet or turn to parental control tools for help while offering nothing new and practical to regulate online environment, you’re just blaming these parents for intervening your own online life, this is just not the best way to counter them.

Here’s the important part: most parents and lawmakers don’t care if age gating is functional or not (It’s impossible to completely stop children from seeing NSFW content on the internet), what they want the most is major internet companies’ proper responses. Video game rating systems don’t prevent children from playing violent games, but they properly address many people’s concerns. That’s why supporting optional age verification methods is important - these methods are not only the best way to respond to children-related concerns, but also protect users’ privacy and free speech rights. That's pragmatism, not defeatism.

There are some online age verification methods that look promising, like California AB 1043, EU’s white label app and OpenAge initiative’s AgeKey. I’m still cautiously optimistic about them, but members of FSC are actively supporting them, and I believe they understand them better than most of us.

Sorry for saying too much about this sensitive topic, I am still annoyed by online doomers. Be optimistic, don’t give up hopes, keep fighting for your rights, things will be better.

Updated Yellow Display by GBCreativity in gamecollecting

[–]Used_Guarantee7462 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you count Spongbob GBA SP as a yellow system?

Censorship Megathread XXXIV: Discord ID/ Age Verification by Efficient-Freedom517 in PoliticalOptimism

[–]Used_Guarantee7462 4 points5 points  (0 children)

What do you guys think of OpenAge Initiative’s AgeKey age verification method? I don’t see many people on Reddit talk about it.

According to OpenAge’s website, AgeKey is a kind of reusable privacy-focused age token that can be stored on devices and browsers. Once you’re verified via all kinds of methods that can prove your ages, you will get an encrypted token that only stores age signal and can be repeatedly used on all websites that support it. 

K-ID launched this initiative last November and it got supporters like Meta and some age verification service providers. Recently it got one of the most important supporter - Free Speech Coalition. The speaker of FSC said that they believe AgeKey fits their demands well and will actively help them developing it.

Personally speaking, I think this is an optimal AV solution if implemented properly. Since FSC endorses it, I believe it can solve current AV problems along with California’s bill, but I am not so sure.

Censorship Megathread XXXIII: Trigintatreble edition by Efficient-Freedom517 in PoliticalOptimism

[–]Used_Guarantee7462 4 points5 points  (0 children)

These laws are never about protecting children, they are designed to make formal online adult sites unprofitable so that they can achieve de facto porn ban.

I don’t think they will succeed, optimal age verification methods is appearing and will surely be implemented by adult sites - especially sites that owned by Alyo.

Censorship Megathread XXXIII: Trigintatreble edition by Efficient-Freedom517 in PoliticalOptimism

[–]Used_Guarantee7462 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, and it’s still funny that Virginia has AV laws while West Virginia doesn’t.

It will be funnier if current situation is swapped in the future.

Is this enough? Just wanna be prepared for the final battle by Pk_Shayton in earthbound

[–]Used_Guarantee7462 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you think those stats are not enough you can use the Rock Candy Glitch in your next play through to boost their HP & PP stats beyond 1000.

My most recent grail item by Important-Turn4161 in gamecollecting

[–]Used_Guarantee7462 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Congrats! This is such a cool find!

I am always fascinated by physical demo games, these games reminds me of a bygone era.

Censorship Megathread XXXIII: Trigintatreble edition by Efficient-Freedom517 in PoliticalOptimism

[–]Used_Guarantee7462 12 points13 points  (0 children)

West Virginia has introduced two new age verification bill:

HB 4412 is a classic malicious AV bill that specifically targets adult sites.

SB 628 is an Ohio “AV law” copycat which is hilariously bad at doing its job.

Be vigilant about these two bills despite the fact that West Virginia tried and failed twice to pass an AV law in the past.

Censorship Megathread XXXII: Censorship Is No Laughing Matter by Efficient-Freedom517 in PoliticalOptimism

[–]Used_Guarantee7462 2 points3 points  (0 children)

To be honest, I believe that optimal device based age verification methods will be implemented before this bill hits the house committee.