Commission urges fast rollout of age verification app

The European Commission is urging EU countries to accelerate the rollout of the EU age verification app, aiming to make it available to citizens by the end of 2026.

The European age verification app, designed to better protect children online, is now ready for deployment in EU countries. It will allow users to prove their age without sharing unnecessary personal data and to browse the internet in full privacy, while ensuring that children cannot access inappropriate content. 

EU countries can roll it out as a standalone app or integrate it into European Digital Identity Wallets. To ensure its swift availability and interoperability, the Commission recommends that countries

• use the EU age verification app blueprint, which can be customised to their needs
• develop implementation plans to ensure swift adoption of age verification solutions
• work together and engage with Digital Services Coordinators, other EU countries, the Commission, researchers, and civil society in the rollout of their national solutions
• ensure compliance with cybersecurity standards through independent third-party scrutiny.

Additionally, the Commission will set up an EU age verification scheme. The scheme sets out criteria for providers of proof of age services and for developers of age verification solutions. Based on these criteria, the Commission will publish a list of providers that meet privacy and security standards.

The protection and empowerment of children and teens online is a key priority of the Commission. Age verification is one element of a broader framework that includes the Digital Services Act (DSA), the action plan against cyberbullying, the better internet for kids strategy, and others. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also set up a special panel of experts to help develop a strong and practical European approach to child safety online. 

Under the DSA, online platforms must ensure a high level of privacy, security, and safety for minors online. Recently, the Commission preliminarily found Meta in breach of these rules for failing to prevent minors under thirteen from using Instagram and Facebook.

For more information

Remarks by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen

Q&A: EU age verification solution

The EU approach to age verification

Protecting minors online

Digital economy and society