France among EU states to test age-check app to protect children online
Several European nations have ramped up the pressure on the bloc to better protect minors online through more stringent measures, with some going as far as to advocate banning social media for under-15s.
On Monday, the European Commission unveiled the prototype of an age-verification app that Denmark, France, Greece, Italy and Spain will customise to launch national versions within several months.
"It will allow users to easily prove they are over 18 years old, protecting children from inappropriate content," explained EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen.
"It's hard to imagine a world where kids can enter a store to buy alcohol, to go to a nightclub by simply stating that they are old enough, no bouncers, no ID checks, just a simple 'Yes, I am over the age of 18'" Danish digital minister Caroline Stage Olsen said.
"That has been the case online for many years," she added alongside Virkkunen, saying the new app would help ensure there were "no more nightclubs without bouncers."
The aim is for each member state to develop their own app since they have different rules and may wish to tailor age limits for different services - ranging from porn or gambling sites, to social platforms like Instagram or TikTok.
Porn sites go dark in France over new age verification rules
(with AFP)
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