EU to launch age verification app, mandatory for porn sites
Last week, the European Commission launched an investigation into the largest adult entertainment websites. The inquiry aims to determine whether these platforms have taken adequate measures to restrict minors' access to age-inappropriate content.
Hidden within the Commission's press release was an almost offhand mention of a new app planned for age verification across the European Union.
Details were scarce - so we dug in. We reached out to multiple public agencies to uncover more about this app and how it's expected to work.
Our investigation ultimately led us to Finnish authorities, who were able to shed some light on the matter.
In Finland, the initiative is being driven by the Office of the Data Protection Ombudsman, which is responsible for overseeing the processing of personal data in the country. The office confirmed to AfterDawn that an age verification solution is indeed headed to Finland.
The solution will come in the form of a smartphone app, slated for official release in June 2025 and set to be rolled out across the country in October.
