President Ursula von der Leyen launches EU Age Verification App

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced (watch press release on X) the launch of a harmonised European age-verification app designed to protect children from harmful and illegal online content. The app, built upon the European Digital Identity Wallet framework, allows citizens to prove their age on digital platforms, much like providing identification in physical shops.

The app functions by allowing users to set up a profile using a passport or ID card. Its key features include a commitment to providing a consistent, secure, privacy-preserving, and user-friendly age verification experience. This ensures that users can prove their age without revealing additional personal information, maintaining their anonymity and untrackability. The software is compatible with all devices, including phones, tablets, and computers, and it is fully open source, promoting transparency and encouraging international adoption.

Several member states, including France, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Spain, Cyprus, and Ireland, are already integrating the app into their national digital wallets. Moving forward, von der Leyen noted that the Commission will take a zero-tolerance approach to platforms that fail to respect children's rights, noting that commercial interests cannot supersede the safety of minors.

Additional reporting by IAPP.

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