The European Commission has unveiled an age verification application prototype, intended to better protect minors online. This new tool is accompanied by guidelines to supervise children’s safety on digital platforms.
The European Commission has announced the launch of an age verification application prototype, designed to protect minors online. Designed to guarantee user confidentiality, this tool is part of a series of new guidelines aimed at better supervising the protection of children in the digital space, according to a press release.
The prototype of age verification application aims to reconcile respect for privacy and ease of use. It would allow users to prove that they are over 18 to access certain online content, without revealing other personal data, such as their identity or their exact age. According to the Commission, this system guarantees that no entity can see, follow or rebuild the content consulted by each user.
According to Henna Virkkunen, vice-president responsible for technological sovereignty, this prototype represents a major advance towards a safer internet. “Platforms have no excuse for pursuing practices that endanger children,” she said.
The prototype is based on the same technical specifications as European digital identity portfolios (EID), expected by the end of 2026. This guarantees their compatibility and will ultimately allow age verification in these portfolios.
The tool will be tested in collaboration with the Member States, platforms and end users. Denmark, Greece, Spain, France and Italy are among the first countries to collaborate with the Commission on the technical solution. The system could be integrated into national applications or exist in autonomous form.
Guidelines for a safer environment
In parallel, the Commission also published guidelines aimed at improving the protection of minors on online platforms. Coming from an in -depth consultation process, they include in particular the deactivation of features promoting excessive use such as “scratches” and “reading received”, reinforced options to block or limit unlined interactions, as well as better control of the recommended content. Minors’ accounts should by default be private to limit contacts with strangers.
These recommendations are based on an approach based on risks, taking into account the size, purpose or public of platforms. Age verification is particularly recommended for adult content platforms or at high risk for minors. The methods used must be precise, reliable, non -intrusive and in accordance with a “gold standard” in terms of age insurance, the press release said.
