EU Launches Anonymous Age-Verification App to Protect Children Online

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Wednesday in Brussels that the European Union has developed a technically ready age-verification app, designed to protect children from online harm. The app allows users to prove their age when accessing online platforms, operating with complete anonymity to prevent data tracking. Modeled after the EU's Covid-19 vaccination verification tool, it can be downloaded from an online store and set up using a passport or ID card. This initiative responds to pressure for stricter online safety measures, as several EU capitals consider banning social media for younger users. Five EU countries, including France and Italy, began testing the app last year. Von der Leyen compared its function to shops checking ID for alcohol purchases, emphasizing its role in safeguarding minors.