Canada is considering legislation requiring strict age verification on social media platforms. The proposal raises significant concerns among transgender people and other vulnerable online groups.

The government wants to require users to verify their identity through government-issued ID or facial recognition technology. This creates practical and safety issues, especially for transgender and non-binary persons. Many still have official documents with their former name and gender. This outing risk makes platform participation dangerous. Facial scanning also causes problems: many systems recognise transgender faces less accurately.

Activists warn that young people may actually become less safe. Many LGBTQ+ youth rely on anonymous online spaces for support and information. Age verification would cut them off from these vital connections. Privacy risks grow significantly: sensitive minor data gets stored and could be hacked.

The government claims it aims to protect young people. Critics argue the approach is poorly considered. They call for alternatives protecting youth without endangering privacy and safety. Canada must now decide: age verification or genuinely protecting all young people, including transgender youth.