The European Union is testing a prototype age-verification app in five countries — Denmark, Greece, Spain, France and Italy — to help online platforms better protect minors and comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA).
The new app allows users to verify they are over 18 before accessing adult content. The developers assure that users will have full control over their data and that personal information, including age or identity, will remain confidential.
The European Commission emphasizes that this is only an interim solution - a European Digital Wallet should appear in 2026, which will allow citizens to securely verify their identity online and store digital documents.
While the DSA itself does not set specific requirements for age verification, platforms are required to protect the physical and mental development of minors and prevent them from accessing harmful content. The Commission recommends that platforms limit access to potentially dangerous content, reduce the risks of cyberbullying, and avoid addictive design.
The EU is paying special attention to adult websites. In May, investigations were launched against Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX and XVideos for insufficient protection of children. In the future, such platforms may be required to implement a new verification application to ensure the safety of minors in the digital environment.
Recall that the EU also wants to limit children's access to social networks and introduce a "digital age of majority."