GUARD Act risks eroding First Amendment rights, warns John Coleman
Summary
The GUARD Act, introduced by Senator Josh Hawley, aims to protect minors by mandating age verification for AI companions. Critics, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation and John Coleman, argue that the bill necessitates real-world identity verification, creating a surveillance infrastructure that endangers digital privacy and potentially restricts constitutionally protected speech. Furthermore, experts warn that the legislation may create a chilling effect on innovation, as developers might over-restrict access to AI tools to avoid severe liability, ultimately harming access to educational and mental health resources.
(Source:Crypto Briefing)