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“Anonymity is a mirage,” says Asmongold, backing “gov authentication token” as platforms adopt ID checks

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The Times Of Indiapublisher-detail-arrow
01st August, 2025 12:09 IST
Popular streamer and commentator Zack “Asmongold” Hoyt sparked a debate with his recent take on online identity verification . As per his argument, true anonymity is just an illusion. This comment comes at a time when some of the major platforms like YouTube , Spotify, and others are implementing strict age verification checks that would require government IDs. The popular streamer has argued that the trend is just unstoppable, and it’s better to have specific safeguards for protecting user privacy from corporations.


Asmongold and his take on the digital world’s anonymity


It’s contended by Asmongold that, for internet users overwhelming majority, the idea of complete anonymity is a “mirage.” He pointed out that individuals are already surrendering their significant personal information to the Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Quite crucially, he has emphasized that ISPs are obligated legally to comply with the government subpoenas, and have to hand over the user data, as and when it's required; as this is the law. Asmongold even believes that resistance to ID verification is just futile, and it’s an inevitable shift.


Asmongold argued that private companies hold a large amount of sensitive ID data, and this creates unacceptable risk. He even cited some high-profile data breaches . So, instead of the platforms directly handling the passports or driver licences, Asmongold believes a ‘ government authentication token ’ system is the best solution here. The token, while verifying all necessary details like citizenship or age, doesn’t expose the full public records or identity of the user to the platform itself. As stressed by him, “what isn’t inevitable” is “private companies having access to our public records.”


Asmongold's take on ID-based age-check system was not accepted well

The stance of the streamer has sparked controversy and reactions. While some users do agree with the anonymity assessment and see value in accountability, particularly for combating bots and protecting minors, there are many who do not think it is the solution.

While the supporters of the stance believe, internet ID will start holding people accountable for the things they would never say or even do in their real life. The opposition centers upon the distrust of government overreach . They believe one cannot trust the government, and they are really worried about the future where such ID checks will be the reality for them all.

Supporting critics, even Elon Musk ensured not to stand back. His comments read, “Government is MUCH worse than any corporation or you don’t understand government. Government is simply the most powerful corporation and with a monopoly on violence.”

Standing up with the words of the X owner, many users stood up. A user in this regard commented, “Corporation can do whatever it wants unlike government. There are no next elections in corporation. No democracy. Only bosses.”

While the other said, “You’re kidding, right? Corporations are some of the most corrupt entities on the planet right now. At least we can hold politicians accountable.”

“100%. SpaceX can never force me to buy a rocket. Amazon can never force me to buy a package. Apple can never force me to buy a phone. Government daily forces me to spend in ways that are actively harmful. Bloated Government is the real threat,” said another.


A user even went ahead to mention it loud and clear that soon Asmongold, who think he’s above the law, too will be “subpoenaed to explain why you continued a Twitter algorithm psyop, tried to get Trump to give you freebies and started political wars with your salacious and intentional EPSTEIN rumors when you didn’t get what you demanded — which also greatly added to the debt you complain so much about. YOUR monopoly is the problem. 👇”

A user openly declared, "We're not going to comply, period."


With all being said and done, critics fear that such systems would enable constant surveillance and censorship, irrespective of the proposed token model. As for the debate that got started after Asmongold’s take, it shows deep divides on the concerns over security, privacy and online interaction in the future.


What is the future of internet verification?
With governments like Australia and the UK enforcing strict ID checks, the prediction of Asmongold might soon be a reality. The only question that remains is, should verification be handled by the government, corporations or any neutral third-party? With the discussion evolving, the one thing that remains clear is that online anonymity, which we know and enjoy today, is soon going to fade away. So, it’s better to be prepared for what’s coming ahead.


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