EU proposes age checks online to protect children

The European Commission has proposed a digital age verification system to prevent children and adolescents in the EU from accessing age-inappropriate online content, including pornography. This new system will initially be tested in Denmark, France, Spain, Greece, and Italy, with plans for implementation in Germany by the end of 2026. The verification process aims to anonymously confirm users' ages without storing personal data. The initiative is part of the Digital Services Act and includes guidelines for platforms to protect minors, such as private default profiles and the disabling of addictive features for young users.