New EU app to protect children online arriving by year-end

The European Commission is urging member states to adopt a new, privacy-preserving age-verification application by the end of this year, marking a significant step towards creating a safer online environment for children. This EU-wide app is designed to allow users to prove they meet age restrictions for accessing online content without disclosing their exact age, identity, or other personal information.

"Effective age verification that protects privacy is the next piece of the puzzle we are close to completing," stated Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President of the Commission responsible for technological sovereignty, security, and democracy. "We are working to create an online space where our children are safe and can use it positively and responsibly without limiting the rights of adults."

Member states now have the responsibility to adapt and deploy this application, either as a standalone tool or integrated into the European Digital Identity wallet. The Commission has provided a clear roadmap for implementation, ensuring rapid availability and interoperability of the EU's age-verification solution. This move is part of a broader effort to bolster digital rights and safety across the Union.

This initiative is particularly crucial in the current digital landscape, where children are increasingly exposed to inappropriate content online. By enabling secure and private age verification, the EU aims to strike a balance between protecting minors and upholding the privacy rights of adults, fostering a more responsible and secure digital ecosystem for everyone. The successful implementation of this app will be a testament to the EU's commitment to digital governance and child protection.

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Effective age verification that protects privacy is the next piece of the puzzle we are close to completing. We are working to create an online space where our children are safe and can use it positively and responsibly without limiting the rights of adults.