The European Union is accelerating its push for mandatory digital age verification across online platforms, raising alarms among privacy advocates and free speech defenders.
Under the Digital Services Act (DSA), the European Commission (EC) has issued formal requests to tech giants like Google, Apple, Snap and YouTube, demanding details on how they prevent minors from accessing "harmful" content – including material related to vaping, drugs and eating disorders. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, the DSA aims to regulate the behavior of large online platforms – known as "very large online platforms" and "very large online search engines" – to ensure that they act responsibly and protect EU citizens' fundamental rights and interests.
The EC's latest enforcement actions target both major platforms and smaller services. Snapchat has been asked to explain how it keeps users under 13 off its platform, while Apple's App Store and Google Play must disclose their age-rating systems and safeguards. YouTube faces scrutiny over its recommendation algorithms and age-assurance tools.
The EU's Tech Commissioner Henna Virkkunen emphasized Brussels' stance, stating: "When minors are using online services, a very high level of privacy, security and safety must be ensured."
The EC's proposed age verification system requires users to install an app, submit ID documents and receive an "anonymous" age token – though skeptics note that the initial identity check still undermines privacy.
Denmark, currently holding the EU Council presidency, is spearheading efforts for unified age verification rules to prevent fragmented national regulations. Danish Digital Minister Carolin Stage Olsen stated: "If we make European regulation, we should also give some room for national differences. So I believe it would be wisest if we don’t have one set majority age."
Olsen stopped short of endorsing an EU-wide "digital age of majority" but stressed that member states should retain flexibility in setting age limits. Denmark itself recently proposed banning social media for children under 15 – a move that will be debated nationally.
The European Parliament remains deeply divided over mandatory age checks. Christel Schaldemose, the Social Democrat leading negotiations on the Digital Fairness Act, advocates for uniform age verification, but her proposal has sparked fierce debate.
No comments:
Post a Comment