EU Launches Open-Source Age Verification App to Enforce Online Child Protection Rules

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 03:09:00 +0200

The European Commission has introduced a new open-source age verification app designed to help enforce age restrictions across online platforms, particularly social media and adult websites. Announced by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the tool aims to provide a standardized, privacy-focused solution that can be adopted across the European Union. The app allows users to verify their age using passports, ID cards, or national electronic identification systems, while ensuring that no personal data—such as name, birthdate, or ID number—is stored. Instead, it only confirms whether a user meets the required age threshold.

The system is designed to work across devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers. When accessing age-restricted content, users can either scan a QR code displayed on a website or transmit verification directly through the app. Importantly, platforms do not gain access to the original identification documents used for verification. The European Commi