The European (EU) Commission launches an open source age verification app to enforce child safety rules, combining privacy-first technology with stricter platform accountability.
The European Commission has launched an open-source age verification app, positioning it as public digital infrastructure that is transparent, auditable, and adaptable across member states and private ecosystems. The model is designed to enable trust through verifiability, ensure interoperability with EU systems, and allow customisation without weakening privacy protections.
The rollout aligns with a broader EU child-safety and digital governance strategy under the Digital Services Act, alongside a February action plan targeting cyberbullying, harmful content, and addictive platform design. The system will integrate with the EU Digital Identity (EUDI) Wallet, reinforcing a unified regulatory and technical framework while shifting compliance responsibility firmly onto platforms.
Ursula von der Leyen said the solution is “technically ready” and warned of “zero tolerance” for non-compliance, adding that it meets “the highest privacy standards” and removes “excuses” from tech companies. EC Executive Vice-President Virukken noted the system is “built on zero-knowledge proof; this means that when users want to access an age-restricted service, they remain in full control of their data.”
Built on Zero-knowledge proof, the app verifies age via government-issued IDs and enables access through QR codes or automated checks, sharing only eligibility confirmation without revealing identity or date of birth.
The initiative addresses weak self-declaration systems and rising risks to minors, while enabling EU-wide adoption, independent audits, and innovation without vendor lock-in.
