SIIA Urges Alabama Governor to Veto HB 161 Over Privacy and First Amendment Concerns

SIIA submitted a letter to Alabama Governor Kay Ivey urging a veto of HB 161, legislation that would mandate age verification for digital services. While recognizing the importance of protecting minors online, SIIA argues that universal age verification requirements would create serious privacy, security, and constitutional risks for all users.

In its letter, SIIA highlights concerns about forced collection of sensitive personal data-including government IDs and biometric information-alongside the risk of large-scale data breaches. The association also raises First Amendment concerns, warning that mandatory age verification would chill anonymous speech, create barriers to access for adults without standard identification, and impose unconstitutional restrictions on lawful online expression.