North Carolina Bill Proposes ID Sharing for Social Media Age Verification

North Carolina is considering a new legislative proposal, the NC Personal Data Privacy Act, which aims to give consumers more control over their personal data and impose age verification requirements on social media platforms. Introduced by Senators Terry Brown and Allen Chesser, the bill combines consumer privacy rights with mandates for social media companies to verify users’ ages using government-issued IDs through third-party vendors.

Consumer Data Rights and Privacy Provisions

The bill outlines six consumer rights including the ability to access data collected about them, correct inaccuracies, and opt out of data sales to third parties. However, exemptions exist for health data protected under HIPAA and for trade secrets. Critics argue that these provisions are industry-friendly and offer limited protection due to broad exemptions and weak data minimization rules.

Age Verification Requirements and Their Challenges

The bill’s second half mandates social media platforms to implement "reasonable age verification methods" to prevent minors from creating accounts without parental consent. This involves using third-party vendors to verify government-issued IDs such as driver’s licenses. Exceptions apply to gaming sites and smaller platforms with less than $100,000 in revenue. While intended to protect children, experts highlight significant privacy concerns and practical limitations.

Age verification is already known to be easily circumvented on adult websites, and requiring ID sharing with third parties increases risks of data breaches and misuse. Privacy advocates warn that this approach disproportionately affects marginalized populations such as low-income individuals, elderly people, young adults, and communities of color who may lack government-issued IDs. Furthermore, companies and vendors may not fully safeguard this sensitive information despite legal restrictions.

Broader Implications and National Context

North Carolina’s bill is part of a growing national trend where states and federal lawmakers seek to impose age verification on social media platforms under the guise of protecting children. Similar laws have been passed or proposed in Arkansas, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and at the federal level with the Kids Off Social Media Act. However, critics argue these laws often stem from moral panic rather than effective policy and may cause unintended harm.

The intersection of privacy, security, and equitable access remains a complex challenge. While protecting minors online is critical, solutions must balance safety with respect for user privacy and avoid exacerbating social inequalities.

North Carolina’s proposed legislation highlights the difficulties in crafting effective data privacy and age verification laws that truly protect consumers without introducing new risks. It underscores the need for innovative, privacy-preserving verification technologies and comprehensive data protection frameworks that consider the diverse realities of all users.

Ultimately, this legislation serves as a case study in the trade-offs between consumer privacy, security, and accessibility. Stakeholders must carefully evaluate the real-world impacts of such laws to avoid unintended consequences that could undermine the very protections they seek to establish.