But once you make the wrong noises about something, plenty of people show up ready to prove just how mean and horrible they can actually be.

This is true. Linux isn’t my platform of choice, and the “passion” of the responses that provokes is remarkable.

If you’ve got a VPN, just install that on your Apple TV. Google doesn’t show ads in certain countries (the list is Googleable). That was an absolute game changer for me.

I use an Apple TV, but I assume it’s the same as any other streaming box or appropriate smart TV.

The absolute piece-of-piss way to block all YouTube ads on it is to install a VPN like Proton, choose a relevant country (easily googleable), and there will be no ads whatsoever in YouTube.

Google doesn’t serve ads on YouTube in a handful of countries.

Yeah, no doubt.

The technical implementation, or the law itself?

Not a single word in this rant has any relevance to my comment.

Mixed feelings about this.

However, ethical questions aside, and from a purely legal conformation standpoint, if the phone validates the user is over 18 and passes only that info as a token to whatever application or website requests it, then it’s a good implementation. It means elimination of multiple validation requirements, minimal transfer of data to third parties, fewer sources holding personal data, etc. Whether it works that way remains to be seen.