Canada is considering a law requiring age verification on social media platforms. The goal is to better protect minors. But serious practical problems arise for transgender and gay people.

The government wants platforms to verify user age. This can happen through facial recognition or government ID submission. This is problematic for many transgender persons. Their identity documents often don't match their gender identity. Facial recognition can wrongly refuse transgender people or expose them to unwanted questions.

Gay and bisexual youth are also worried. Their parents sometimes don't know about their identity. If parents help children with age verification, it harms their privacy. And transgender minors cannot easily register without coming out.

Digital rights defenders call for careful implementation. The government must first research how these systems affect vulnerable groups. Experts suggest platforms offer multiple verification methods. This way, not everyone needs to provide the same proof.

Canada is now talking with organisations that defend transgender and LGBTQ rights. The question remains how the country balances minor safety with marginalised group privacy.