Commission pushes for common age verification system for digital environment

The European Commission has announced the development of an age verification solution, designed as a common technical tool to facilitate the control of minors' access to digital platforms and services. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the online safety of minors and the effective implementation of Europe's digital regulatory framework.

Key points: 

• Context and rationale: European institutions warn of a sustained increase in risks associated with the intensive use of digital platforms by minors, including exposure to harmful content, addictive dynamics and illicit behaviour.
• Focus on privacy and data protection: the design of the system is based on the principle of minimisation, avoiding the disclosure of identity and other personal data other than mere age status. The accreditation does not generate profiles and does not allow user tracking.
• Transparency and technological trust: as it is an open source development, the system can be publicly evaluated and reused by third parties, favouring interoperability and the trust of the different actors involved.
• Progressive roll-out by Member States: some countries have already expressed their intention to incorporate this tool into their national identity systems or digital wallets, which points to a gradual but coordinated roll-out at European level.
• Regulatory implications: the Commission expressly links this technical solution to a reinforcement of the supervision and sanctioning regime for those platforms that fail to comply with their duties to protect minors, emphasising that commercial interests cannot prevail over fundamental rights.

From a legal and compliance perspective, this measure anticipates a scenario of greater practical requirements in terms of age-based access control, as well as increased regulatory pressure on digital operators with services potentially accessible to minors.

Read more:

• Official publication