EU national capitals reject Commission's internet age-check app proposal

5 articles · Updated · POLITICO Europe · Apr 28

Government ministers and officials from eight member countries express skepticism and reluctance to adopt the European Commission's new app, favoring national solutions instead.
The Commission plans to recommend the app on Wednesday to help protect children from online harms as countries implement age checks for illegal content like pornography and alcohol.
The proposal faces resistance as governments prioritize their own approaches, raising questions about the EU's ability to coordinate digital safety measures across member states.

With eight nations rejecting it, is the EU's unified age-verification app already dead on arrival?

Are age-verification laws a 'quick fix' that ignores the real danger of addictive social media algorithms?

Hacked in two minutes: Can the EU's new child safety app ever be truly secure from data thieves?

Will proving your age online soon mean sacrificing your anonymity to governments and big tech?

Could strict age gates accidentally lock vulnerable youth out of vital online support communities?