Column: tom Verhoeven (Fetlife link)
How wonderful it is that we live in a free country where you can freely express your opinion without a government obstructing you, as in a dictatorship. Yet, that freedom and privacy are increasingly under attack. Under the noble goal of protecting children from malicious influences on the internet, the EU is already taking steps to launch the EU Digital Identity Wallet this year. This means that if you want to visit a porn site or social media site, you will be required to use this EU Digital Identity Wallet. Whether you are 16 or 80 years old.
The goal in itself seems very noble: to protect children. Under this guise, they also wanted to be able to view photos of your WhatsApp messages. In short, the EU, governments, and secret services are gaining ever more power over your internet usage, plus insight into the opinions you spread on your apps.
We follow you backkkkk đ
Initially, they don’t take your opinions, browsing habits, and spending too seriously. But personally, it wouldn’t surprise me if the thumbscrews are tightened further and further here after a few years.
From EU censor
Over time, you will no longer be able to freely visit any website without your EU Digital Identity Wallet, unless you are hunting for potholder museums and other very silly items. The bank card will also disappear and be replaced by this. Meaning that, whether you like it or not, the digital euro becomes a reality. It will be introduced quite innocently at first, but will soon be linked to your climate footprint. Meaning you won’t be allowed to fly twice a year, or worse, buy meat every day at the butcher and local supermarket. Cash will disappear completely over time.
Authorities can also monitor what types of violent or so-called disinformation websites you visit and your interactions on them. If the content you post is deemed incorrect by the authorities, or if you express an opinion considered disinformation by them, you could face serious problems. This could include being denied internet access, being banned from certain websites, and even criminal prosecution.
Isn’t BDSM LGBTIQ+ and not violent?
The EU considers BDSM websites violent, using the excuse that it cannot be determined whether mutual consent is involved. We also use the words: slave and female slave. Words that, according to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science’s dictionary, are considered undesirable. Now all we need is a guideline for civil servants, museums, and cultural institutions not to use these words. But the noose that is currently still lightly around the necks of BDSM enthusiasts will soon be tightened to a suffocating degree, causing the banning of everything related to BDSM to become commonplace. For BDSM Radio, that means packing up or broadcasting and publishing about BDSM with a mouthful of flour. Personally, I would hang up my microphone for good if I had to present Libelle-style BDSM radio programs.
When will this be implemented?
The planning is carried out via the Digital Services Act (DSA) and additional European directives:
- Now (2024-2025):Â Large platforms (such as Pornhub, X, and major gambling websites) are already under strict supervision by the European Commission. They are already being forced to use effective verification methods, although this is still fragmented.
- 2026: This is the crucial year. By then, Member States must have their EU Digital Identity Wallets ready. As soon as those wallets are in place, this will become the standard method for age verification throughout the EU.
- Netherlands: The Dutch government is currently working on specific legislation to make age verification mandatory for pornographic sites, independent of European developments. This legislative proposal is expected in the course of 2025/2026 .
Hacking and other dangers
Suppose we are occupied by a malevolent regime like during the Second World War? Who says then that we, as BDSM practitioners, won’t be the first to enter a concentration camp as so-called deviants? Something that is easy to discover based on this digital EU ID and the load of personal data.
With the advent of quantum computers, hacking will soon be child’s play. Who says we won’t be blackmailed using our ID details? Already, BDSM practitioners are losing their jobs if their BDSM lifestyle is discovered by employers, family, or friends.
Practical dangers for everyone are having your details misused to take out loans or accepting a fake ID using yours. Which, in turn, can cause you a huge amount of trouble.
Then there’s a power outage, or if a hostile force disables the power and/or internet cables in the North Sea. Then you are literally and figuratively powerless, and you just have to put on a bearskin again.
Conclusion:
-The EU and other governments view BDSM practitioners as violent criminals.
-Freedom of speech is further restricted
-Freedom to visit the websites you wish with privacy
-According to experts, this cannot be bypassed even with a VPN
-Freedom of disposal over your money is restricted
-Danger from hacks and intelligence services.
-BDSM even deeper in the closet, with a risk of injury for new BDSM practitioners due to a lack of education.
-End of BDSM Radio, Massad, Fetlife and other BDSM websites?
Conclusion of conclusion:
I fear the worst and hope that everyone votes in every conceivable election for parties that truly stand for freedom of speech. As soon as people start talking about disinformation, you have to scratch your head. Because if someone believes that the earth is flat or that there is no climate change, they must be able to hold that opinion and express it. That is freedom of speech. Just as important as the right to privacy and what you do with your hard-earned money.
Long and kinky prosperity 
