TEXAS just passed a law that turns Big Tech giants Apple and Google into bouncers at the gates of the internet. Under SB 2420, starting 2026, app stores must verify the age of every user. Want to download a weather app? You’ll need to show ID. And if you’re under 18, you can’t install anything without a parent’s permission. This isn’t about “protecting children.” Porn apps are already banned in the app stores. This is about creating a mass surveillance system that erases anonymity, chills speech, and forces Texans to hand over their real identities to access digital life. The state tells developers to “delete the data.” But delete when? And trust who? Developers? Apple? Google? You’re betting your privacy on a handshake. Meanwhile, Apple and Google are forced to collect and store troves of sensitive info from every user, just to comply. For Texans, from next year, everything you say on a social media app can be tied to your real-world identity. And if you think this ends in Texas, think again. Utah passed a similar law. Congress is eyeing one, too. The war on online anonymity is here. image

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"The war on online anonymity is here"
Reclaim The Net's avatar Reclaim The Net
TEXAS just passed a law that turns Big Tech giants Apple and Google into bouncers at the gates of the internet. Under SB 2420, starting 2026, app stores must verify the age of every user. Want to download a weather app? You’ll need to show ID. And if you’re under 18, you can’t install anything without a parent’s permission. This isn’t about “protecting children.” Porn apps are already banned in the app stores. This is about creating a mass surveillance system that erases anonymity, chills speech, and forces Texans to hand over their real identities to access digital life. The state tells developers to “delete the data.” But delete when? And trust who? Developers? Apple? Google? You’re betting your privacy on a handshake. Meanwhile, Apple and Google are forced to collect and store troves of sensitive info from every user, just to comply. For Texans, from next year, everything you say on a social media app can be tied to your real-world identity. And if you think this ends in Texas, think again. Utah passed a similar law. Congress is eyeing one, too. The war on online anonymity is here. image
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Thekid.999's avatar
Thekid.999 1 year ago
He we go. Every state by the end of 2027. Soon i will really be only nostr. No dabbling over on traditional social media
Reclaim The Net's avatar Reclaim The Net
TEXAS just passed a law that turns Big Tech giants Apple and Google into bouncers at the gates of the internet. Under SB 2420, starting 2026, app stores must verify the age of every user. Want to download a weather app? You’ll need to show ID. And if you’re under 18, you can’t install anything without a parent’s permission. This isn’t about “protecting children.” Porn apps are already banned in the app stores. This is about creating a mass surveillance system that erases anonymity, chills speech, and forces Texans to hand over their real identities to access digital life. The state tells developers to “delete the data.” But delete when? And trust who? Developers? Apple? Google? You’re betting your privacy on a handshake. Meanwhile, Apple and Google are forced to collect and store troves of sensitive info from every user, just to comply. For Texans, from next year, everything you say on a social media app can be tied to your real-world identity. And if you think this ends in Texas, think again. Utah passed a similar law. Congress is eyeing one, too. The war on online anonymity is here. image
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Vdub's avatar
Vdub 1 year ago
This is an advertisement for #grapheneos . degoogle and deIOS everything.
These 2 again and again...
Reclaim The Net's avatar Reclaim The Net
TEXAS just passed a law that turns Big Tech giants Apple and Google into bouncers at the gates of the internet. Under SB 2420, starting 2026, app stores must verify the age of every user. Want to download a weather app? You’ll need to show ID. And if you’re under 18, you can’t install anything without a parent’s permission. This isn’t about “protecting children.” Porn apps are already banned in the app stores. This is about creating a mass surveillance system that erases anonymity, chills speech, and forces Texans to hand over their real identities to access digital life. The state tells developers to “delete the data.” But delete when? And trust who? Developers? Apple? Google? You’re betting your privacy on a handshake. Meanwhile, Apple and Google are forced to collect and store troves of sensitive info from every user, just to comply. For Texans, from next year, everything you say on a social media app can be tied to your real-world identity. And if you think this ends in Texas, think again. Utah passed a similar law. Congress is eyeing one, too. The war on online anonymity is here. image
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If people are still using Google and Apple appstores then they deserve what they get
Whatever the fuck happened to Texas and the freedom people used to have there? Surely it can't all be Californian expats fucking ruining the legal system? Voters don't have any power anyway
Extremely concerning and this is a worldwide trend. Extremely surprised that this happens in Texas before even globalist ravaged #EU countries. The agenda develops anywhere it can anywhen possible.
Under16 year old Australian children can have no access to social media sites in 2026. Even if they have parent permission. Passed in legislation without debate, last year. It will likely mean that every Australian will need to verify age. They'll probably use that "voluntary" Digital ID legislation that they passed around the same time (sneakily). This stuff is happening all over the globe. 😡🤨🧡
This is only the start, the rest of the world will follow. The people need other possibilities to download applications they want to use freely
VBullZ's avatar
VBullZ 1 year ago
It can't. xcept you download new app version on blockchain tech build on XMR
OpnState's avatar
OpnState 1 year ago
I'm using a Mudita kompakt with physical shut-off switches for camera microphone and all radios. Also has a completely de-googled operating system. More than just de-googled, they remove practically everything from open Android. Excellent little privacy device. Certainly not useful for any kind of media consumption, which is also a plus in my book.
OpnState's avatar
OpnState 1 year ago
Aurora will be hit by the same requirement. It uses an anonymous login feature to access the Google Play Store. And I am assuming here that that won't be possible anymore.
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Rand 1 year ago
cutt/\/ off their nose despite their facE*****
I’m not going to pretend there aren’t pros and cons to this to ‘fit in’ on Nostr…and yes there ARE ways this could ‘protect children’. And also ways it couldn’t if they have abusive guardians for example
Texas can pass deez nuts. Thankful for Nostr.
Reclaim The Net's avatar Reclaim The Net
TEXAS just passed a law that turns Big Tech giants Apple and Google into bouncers at the gates of the internet. Under SB 2420, starting 2026, app stores must verify the age of every user. Want to download a weather app? You’ll need to show ID. And if you’re under 18, you can’t install anything without a parent’s permission. This isn’t about “protecting children.” Porn apps are already banned in the app stores. This is about creating a mass surveillance system that erases anonymity, chills speech, and forces Texans to hand over their real identities to access digital life. The state tells developers to “delete the data.” But delete when? And trust who? Developers? Apple? Google? You’re betting your privacy on a handshake. Meanwhile, Apple and Google are forced to collect and store troves of sensitive info from every user, just to comply. For Texans, from next year, everything you say on a social media app can be tied to your real-world identity. And if you think this ends in Texas, think again. Utah passed a similar law. Congress is eyeing one, too. The war on online anonymity is here. image
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curt finch 's avatar
curt finch 1 year ago
Not freedom oriented Republicans are as bad as Democrats
I’ve always thought Texas is a special type of hypocrite with all their freedom talk they like to constantly spout
Melissa's avatar
Melissa 1 year ago
Most Texans haven’t realized yet that Zionism is communism.
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Carsten 1 year ago
I come from Germany in the European Union. Politicians are trying to install mass surveillance here. The internet is censored and if you say the wrong thing, you have to expect a special unit and a house search at six in the morning. Europe and especially Germany are on the way to China, the role model for many politicians, they love dictatorship.
Feels like reading some easy nightmare short essay by a candle 🕯️ you read to far ahead to sleep just yet
db's avatar
db 1 year ago
interesting timing, shortly after the strategic bircoin reserve and Elons starbase city announcement?
Good thing APKs exist, this is a total infringement on privacy. I thought Texas valued freedom but at this point even California grants you more freedoms than them.
Yeah so parents need tools to be able to do it because parents don’t own the internet. Usual non developer parents can’t just create other gateways to safeguard their kids online…it’s a balance between safeguarding and giving them autonomy if they’re old enough but they can still be groomed online etc or have issues using social media which could even lead to suicide. There is an infinite number of possible situations for children to be unsafe online
Alden's avatar
Alden 1 year ago
Graoheneos with aurora store or fdroid. You can't live inside the mainstream ecosystems and maintain your privacy. That level of centralization and powers is too tempting to state actors.
on the other hand, the app stores have never been about "the internet", have never been free, and will always be a walled garden.
Reclaim The Net's avatar Reclaim The Net
TEXAS just passed a law that turns Big Tech giants Apple and Google into bouncers at the gates of the internet. Under SB 2420, starting 2026, app stores must verify the age of every user. Want to download a weather app? You’ll need to show ID. And if you’re under 18, you can’t install anything without a parent’s permission. This isn’t about “protecting children.” Porn apps are already banned in the app stores. This is about creating a mass surveillance system that erases anonymity, chills speech, and forces Texans to hand over their real identities to access digital life. The state tells developers to “delete the data.” But delete when? And trust who? Developers? Apple? Google? You’re betting your privacy on a handshake. Meanwhile, Apple and Google are forced to collect and store troves of sensitive info from every user, just to comply. For Texans, from next year, everything you say on a social media app can be tied to your real-world identity. And if you think this ends in Texas, think again. Utah passed a similar law. Congress is eyeing one, too. The war on online anonymity is here. image
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Lucas West 11 months ago
Look like agenda 2030. Everything is suppose to converge on 2030.