Some kids are bypassing age verification checks with a fake mustache

https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/06/some-kids-are-bypassing-age-verification-checks-with-a-fake-mustache/

by jamdesk • 3 months ago

31 11 3 months ago

techcrunch.com

gnabgib• 3 months ago

Discussion yesterday (244 points, 175 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48018080

iancmceachern• 3 months ago

That's how we used to do it back on the day

Analemma_• 3 months ago

Hopefully everybody working on these systems is putting the minimum possible amount of effort into addressing things like this. If age verification systems are going to be mandated by law, the most ethical thing you can do is make them as weak as possible, then slow-walk the process of fixing bypasses: take nine months to even acknowledge the fake mustache trick, say you'll pencil in the fix for Q4 of next year, and finally deliver it a few months behind schedule.

outime• 3 months ago

And then: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48019093

gustavus• 3 months ago

It doesn't matter the anti-children systmes have been put in place to be bypassed. The they can point to how it is being bypassed and say "see we need stricter laws and controls" the end game is complete surveillance and control.

Some people are legitimately concerned about the children. Just like there were students genuinely concerned about wealthy inequality in czarist Russia.

big85• 3 months ago

I expect camera-based authentication to be removed as it's too easy to cheat like this. Digital ID will be the government's preferred replacement. The ultimate goal is to link everyone's online activity to their real-life identity, in order to make social control easier.

uxjw• 3 months ago

Or it could give regulators an excuse to come out with more big brother tech if age verification isn't up to par

ninju• 3 months ago

I would sit on a buddy's shoulders with a long trenchcoat and a top hat and sneak into into a PG13 movie /s

srameshc• 3 months ago

It did not take them too long to figure out this simple hack :) I know a few companies that work on age verification for online stores etc. But they ask for age proof via id etc. This seem to be via image and a bad idea. Unless there is a better idea , privacy focused age verification system, they should stop doing it .

freehorse• 3 months ago

Honestly, I think that the only upside of the age verification situation is that it gives the incentives and opportunities to kids to hack through systems they are not allowed access. This has the potential to produce both skilled and with healthy mentality future adult citizens.

SirFatty• 3 months ago

Riiight... just ask Kevin Mitnick (if he were still alive).

Some kids are bypassing age verification checks with a fake mustache

Related Stories