Stop KOSA. Why the KOSA Bill is Dangerous and Should be Rejected

trashhalo@beehaw.org to Technology@beehaw.org – 397 points – Stop KOSA
stopkosa.com

KOSA is a bill that aims to protect children online but it would do so in harmful ways. First, it would pressure platforms to install content filters that would censor large amounts of content, including important suicide prevention and LGBTQ+ support resources. Content filters have a history of overblocking important information. Second, KOSA would ramp up online surveillance of all users by expanding age verification and parental monitoring tools. These tools are unnecessarily invasive and pose risks to young people trying to escape abuse. Over 90 rights groups agree that KOSA is dangerous and cannot be fixed through amendments. If you value a free and open internet, contact your lawmakers to reject KOSA.

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"Protect the children" is the new "fight terror". Big empty phrases that only end up taking away rights and targeting minorities.

True, but not new. It's been this since before "fight terror" in fact.

It's coined as the "Helen Lovejoy Syndrome" after a Simpson's episode from the nineties.

"The war on drugs" has entered the chat

Won't someone please think of the children?!

If I recall correctly, that began because white men were afraid that non-white men would rape their wives. I'm not exactly sure how banning drugs was supposed to help, though.

Yes, true. I guess its more of a shitty comeback, worse than before.

Possibly even worse since it's very often used as a cover for CSA. Not just minorities in this case that are being harmed, we're talking about literal children. It's fucking horrific.

"Fight terror" has only really be an excuse since 9/11. Before they had others including protecting children. Only the anti-trans stuff is newish.