Plus, there is the issue of a surveillance state.

The crux is that only exceedingly large orgs - such as governments - can provide reliable and definitive identity services.

But when one of the largest democracies on the planet descends into authoritarian fascism, nerfs and outright destroys most of its democratic and independent pillars of government, and is two shakes away from a full-blown dictatorship (especially if it finds a way to delay or disable the midterm elections), any attempt by said government to implement surveillance techniques (age verification, flock, verified identity, etc.) should be met with extreme and even violent pushback.

Because nonviolent protest only works when opponents have a conscience. When they have none - and pretty much the entire Republican edifice is absolutely bereft of a conscience - non-violent protest is like digging your own grave and asking for a revolver to finish the job.