EU Age-Verification Plan Would Use European Digital Identity Wallets
The European Union is moving toward age-verification systems that can work as stand-alone apps or be integrated into European Digital Identity Wallets.
The European Commission has developed an age-verification blueprint designed to let users prove that they meet an age threshold without giving an online service their exact date of birth or full identity.
On September 17, the Commission also proposed the KIDS Act, which would create new age restrictions and safety rules for social media, AI chatbots, video-sharing services and online games used by minors.
Reuters reported that the proposal would require platforms to verify users’ ages through certified digital identity tools. Under the proposed age tiers, children under 13 would not be allowed social media accounts, users ages 13 and 14 would need parental approval for restricted accounts, and independent accounts would begin at age 15.
The Commission recommends that EU member states make an age-verification solution available by December 31, 2026. The system may be offered separately or integrated into European Digital Identity Wallets.
The KIDS Act is still a proposal and requires approval through the EU legislative process.
Related Renegade News
- UN Pushes for Shared Global AI Governance as Security Council Prepares New AI Meeting
- Vatican Secretary of State Calls for ‘Common Rules’ to Govern AI Globally
Featured image: Onur Binay via Unsplash.
Sources
European Commission: EU approach to age verification
Renegade News reports and summarizes information from the cited sources. Links are provided so readers can review the original material.