EU Age-Verification App Ready to Combat Online Child Harm
The European Union has developed an age-check app to protect children from online harm, with EU officials announcing its readiness for rollout. The app will replace pop-up banners asking users to confirm their age for adult content sites. EU countries have been under pressure to strengthen online child safety measures.
Key points
- The EU-developed age verification app is set to replace pop-up banners asking users to confirm their age for adult content sites.
- The app will use a model similar to the COVID-19 vaccination proof tool, requiring users to download, set up, and use it to prove their age.
- The app is expected to be rolled out in the coming months, with users able to download it from an online store.
- The EU has been under pressure to strengthen online child safety measures, with some countries considering banning social media for children under a certain age.
- The app will be available for users to prove their age when accessing online platforms, similar to proving age when buying alcoholic beverages.
The European Union has taken a significant step towards protecting children from online harm with the development of an age-check app. The app, which has been in the testing phase with a small group of EU countries including France and Italy, is now technically ready for rollout. According to EU officials, the app will replace the current pop-up banners asking users to confirm their age for adult content sites. Instead, users will be able to download the app, set it up with their passport or ID card, and then use it to prove their age when accessing online platforms.
The app uses a model similar to the COVID-19 vaccination proof tool, which was developed during the pandemic. This tool allowed people to prove they had been vaccinated as countries reopened after lockdowns. The EU digital rules require sites including porn, gambling, and alcohol sellers to put in place 'effective age assurance methods' to ensure that children are not accessing adult content.
The rollout of the age-check app is expected to take place in the coming months. Users will be able to download the app from an online store and set it up with their passport or ID card. The app will then be used to prove their age when accessing online platforms. This move is part of the EU's efforts to strengthen online child safety measures, which have been under pressure in recent times. Some EU countries have been considering banning social media for children under a certain age, and the age-check app is seen as a more practical solution to this issue.
Sources
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