The time for non-binding appeals to large tech companies seems to be over in Brussels. In a joint statement on Wednesday, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (CDU) and Vice President Henna Virkkunen, who is responsible for tech sovereignty, gave the starting signal for a new era of digital youth protection. The core of the offensive is a Europe-wide age verification app that has already been tested by several countries, which, according to von der Leyen, is now technically ready and will soon be available to citizens.
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In doing so, the Commission is responding to concerns about risks such as online bullying, addictive factors caused by algorithmic design and cyber grooming, i.e. the stalking of children and young people over the Internet. The head of the commission’s diagnosis is bleak: one in six children is bullied online. Social media also fostered addictions through endless scrolling that could impair brain development.
Since platforms have not yet been able to provide effective mechanisms to protect minors from harmful content, the EU is resorting to self-help. The new app allows users to prove their age to online services without revealing their entire digital identity.
Data protection according to the highest standards
Technically, the project is based on the digital Covid certificate. As with the pandemic companion, the commission is relying on a mode that works on smartphones, tablets and computers. After downloading, the app is set up once with an identification document. Particular attention is paid to privacy. Von der Leyen emphasized: The application meets “the highest data protection standards worldwide”. The age will be verified without revealing any further personal information. The app is “completely anonymous – users cannot be traced.”
The application is based on zero-knowledge proof. This cryptographic principle makes it possible to prove the correctness of information – in this case, the fact that it has reached a certain age – without revealing the underlying data itself. This preserves informational self-determination. Platforms only receive confirmation of “old enough” without having to scan the ID. Austria’s age control is already based on this procedure.
Enforcement of the DSA and EU solidarity
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The push is closely linked to the enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA). Virkkunen made it clear that the Commission is already taking action against companies such as TikTok, Facebook and Instagram for addictive designs. Measures have also been taken against pornographic platforms because they often do not use functioning age controls. The new application now deprives companies of the excuse that there is no simple technical solution.
Countries such as France, Italy and Ireland are considered pioneers and plan to integrate the app into their national digital wallets. To avoid a patchwork situation, Virkkunen wants to create an EU-wide coordination mechanism for the accreditation of national solutions this month. The app’s Quecode is openly accessible as part of the digital citizen identity EUDI in order to create trust and make it easier to integrate it into company solutions. In this country, a committee of experts will first develop recommendations for the safety of children online.
(mki)
