Iowa recently came up with the HF 489 bill, which is a replica of Louisiana’s HB142 bill. It’s to do with collecting identification from internet users when they access adult websites, and many people believe it will open a can of worms.
So far, the bill hasn’t passed the first chamber in Iowa, and it would be great if it never manages to. This is because there are some serious implications and knock-on effects from introducing such intrusive legislation.
What is Louisiana’s HB142 Bill?
Louisiana recently passed the HB142 bill, which requires residents to provide government-issued IDs to access websites with more than one-third of pornographic material. It has sparked controversy and concern about the regulation of online content, and how much power governments should have in policing the internet.
PIA elaborates how this kind of legislation can be disastrous, and that it is a recipe for disaster when it comes to data privacy. Other countries including the UK, Australia, and Germany, have attempted to do this in the past and failed. Therefore, it makes little sense that Louisiana has pushed this so hard.
One of the main concerns with HB142 is that it does not clearly define what constitutes a “substantial portion” of pornographic material, which is the threshold for age verification. As the law currently stands, any website with at least 33.3 percent adult material must require age verification.
There is no clear indication of how this percentage is determined, and no explanation as to why sites with 33.2 percent or less are exempt. This ambiguity raises questions about how the law can be impartially enforced, and whether it will unfairly target certain websites or content creators.
In addition to the unclear nature of the bill, it brings about several other issues. One of the most notable problems is that it now places a burden on website owners to collect and store this sensitive information. This is not good news in the current climate, as CNET reported that data breaches were on the rise in 2022.
Iowa Should Not Follow Suit
This feels like a piece of legislation that Iowa and other states should watch play out before moving to implement it as well. There’s no doubt that the law is well-intentioned, as it’s designed to make sure children don’t access content that could be harmful to them. However, the challenges and risks may outweigh the benefits.
The bill could have serious implications for internet freedom and access. By regulating the content of websites, it could limit the diversity and creativity of online expression, and restrict access to valuable information and resources.
It could also discourage new startups and entrepreneurs from entering the online market, as compliance with the law would require significant resources and technical expertise. This could stifle innovation and competition, and ultimately harm consumers and the economy.
As Forbes notes, it’s hugely important to keep your data safe online. Handing over-identification to access websites could put millions of people at risk, and it is a step in the wrong direction for the internet in the USA. Iowa should stop this bill in its tracks now.
