導航年齡驗證：在隱私問題中全球尋求兒童線上安全

實施年齡驗證措施以保護上網兒童仍然是全球有爭議的話題。加拿大的《線上危害法案》、歐盟的年齡保證項目以及印度可能採用的《數位個人資料保護法案》都試圖解決這個問題。然而，人們對隱私風險提出了擔憂，例如使用政府頒發的身份證件和數位監控。批評者認為，年齡驗證可能會導致監視滑坡，在追求兒童保護的過程中危及用戶隱私。

Protecting Children Online: Navigating the Complexities of Age Verification

保護線上兒童：應對年齡驗證的複雜性

The global debate on age verification measures for online safety has intensified, with countries grappling with the intricate balance between safeguarding children and preserving privacy. From Canada's Online Harms Act to the European Union's euConsent project and India's potential path towards age verification, various approaches are emerging to address the pressing issue of protecting young individuals in the digital realm.

關於網路安全年齡驗證措施的全球辯論愈演愈烈，各國都在努力解決保護兒童和保護隱私之間的錯綜複雜的平衡。從加拿大的《線上危害法案》到歐盟的 euConsent 項目，再到印度實現年齡驗證的潛在途徑，各種方法正在出現，以解決在數位領域保護年輕人的緊迫問題。

Canada's Dilemma: Balancing Safety and Privacy

加拿大的兩難：平衡安全與隱私

Canada's Online Harms Act, which progressed to the House of Commons in December, has drawn criticism for its "alarmingly vague proposals" regarding age verification. Maggie MacDonald, an advisory board member with Ethical Capital Partners, argues that the proposed systems could pose significant privacy risks for all internet users.

加拿大《網路危害法案》於 12 月提交下議院審議，因其有關年齡驗證的「令人震驚的模糊提案」而受到批評。 Ethical Capital Partners 的顧問委員會成員 Maggie MacDonald 認為，所提議的系統可能會為所有網路使用者帶來重大的隱私風險。

"Age verification typically relies on government-issued ID being checked through third-party services, exposing personal information to potential data breaches or leaks," she warns. The Canadian Heritage Minister's office has also expressed concerns about the "fundamental flaws" in the legislation.

她警告說：“年齡驗證通常依賴透過第三方服務檢查政府頒發的身份證件，從而使個人資訊面臨潛在的資料外洩或洩漏。”加拿大遺產部長辦公室也對立法中的「根本缺陷」表示擔憂。

euConsent's Progress Amid Mixed Signals

euConsent 在喜憂參半的情況下取得進展

The European Union's euConsent project, funded by the European Commission, has completed its first phase, involving 2000 children and adults across five European countries. The project aims to develop a standardized age verification and parental consent solution.

由歐盟委員會資助的歐盟 euConsent 計畫已完成第一階段，涉及歐洲 5 個國家的 2000 名兒童和成人。該計畫旨在開發標準化的年齡驗證和家長同意解決方案。

Iain Corby, euConsent's Secretary General, reports positive feedback from internet platforms regarding the draft international standards. However, he highlights the challenge of equivocating government and regulatory visions for online age assurance, leaving the industry struggling to comply.

euConsent 秘書長 Iain Corby 報告了網路平台對國際標準草案的正面回饋。然而，他強調了政府和監管機構對線上年齡保證的願景模糊性的挑戰，導致該行業難以遵守。

India's Potential Mandate: Privacy Concerns and Technological Solutions

印度的潛在授權：隱私問題與技術解決方案

India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP) includes a provision requiring data fiduciaries to obtain verifiable parental consent for processing children's personal data. This could lead to mandatory age verification, raising concerns about privacy.

印度的數位個人資料保護法 (DPDP) 包括一項規定，要求資料受託人在處理兒童個人資料時必須獲得可驗證的父母同意。這可能會導致強制年齡驗證，引發對隱私的擔憂。

Rahul Matthan, a partner at Trilegal law firm, suggests leveraging India's Aadhaar digital identification system for age verification. He proposes using zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) to confirm an individual's age without disclosing any other personal information.

Trilegal 律師事務所合夥人 Rahul Matthan 建議利用印度的 Aadhaar 數位辨識系統進行年齡驗證。他建議使用零知識證明（ZKP）來確認個人的年齡，而無需透露任何其他個人資訊。

Token-based solutions utilizing ZKPs, he argues, could reduce friction and address privacy concerns. They would allow users to present a token to prove their age without revealing their identity.

他認為，利用 ZKP 的基於代幣的解決方案可以減少摩擦並解決隱私問題。他們將允許用戶出示令牌來證明自己的年齡，而無需透露自己的身份。

The Global Impact of Age Verification

年齡驗證的全球影響

The push for age verification is not limited to Canada, the EU, and India. Countries worldwide are exploring different approaches to protect children online.

推動年齡驗證的不僅限於加拿大、歐盟和印度。世界各國正在探索不同的方法來保護上網兒童。

The United States, for instance, has the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which requires businesses to obtain parental consent before collecting personal information from children under 13. Similar legislation exists in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.

例如，美國制定了《兒童網路隱私權保護法》(COPPA)，要求企業在收集 13 歲以下兒童的個人資訊之前必須獲得父母的同意。

Striking a Balance: Protecting Children and Preserving Privacy

取得平衡：保護兒童和保護隱私

The implementation of age verification measures is a complex undertaking that requires a delicate balance between safeguarding children and respecting privacy rights. Governments, regulators, and industry leaders must work together to establish clear guidelines and standards that prioritize both child safety and individual liberty.

實施年齡核實措施是一項複雜的工作，需要在保護兒童和尊重隱私權之間取得微妙的平衡。政府、監管機構和行業領導者必須共同努力，制定明確的指導方針和標準，優先考慮兒童安全和個人自由。

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it is imperative to adopt a comprehensive and sustainable approach to online age verification. By leveraging technological advancements and engaging in ongoing dialogue, we can create a safer and more secure environment for children without compromising privacy.

隨著數位環境的不斷發展，必須採用全面且可持續的方法來進行線上年齡驗證。透過利用科技進步並參與持續對話，我們可以在不損害隱私的情況下為兒童創造一個更安全的環境。