There are times when you are viewing media on the web, where that media isn’t appropriate for those under the age of 18. Things like extended or more revealing movie trailers for example.

I recently went to look at the R rated trailer for Hot Tub Time machine. The movie looks pretty mindless, and I like the actors in it… but I’m always for seeing more than just a G rated trailer.

So, I went to the site, clicked on the R rated trailer and was presented with a web page asking me some information about myself. It wasn’t any information that could be used to steal my identity, but it peaked my interest.

In the past, if you wanted to see if someone was over 18, you asked them for a credit card number.  And if they had a credit card, and all the information was correct that was provided, chances are that the person is over 18, or someone was using their dad’s credit card.

It seems that they have eliminated that very dangerous step. Now they ask for your name, birthday and Zip code. They then go out and check that against public records for your drivers license. And bada-boom, they have confirmation.

Nothing is perfect, because if an underage person had that information they could get past this ‘gate-keeper’… but I find it interesting how they are utilizing information in public records these days.

Is it dangerous? I don’t think so. It’s kind of convenient and harmless, especially for the way that it is being used. Using that information for something beyond that would certainly throw up a red flag or two.

Just remember, the more information you give out, the more chances are that you could get in financial trouble, or worse.

In this case, I just got to see an R rated trailer that was pretty funny.