The European Union is set to roll out a new age verification app this July, a move aimed at strengthening enforcement of online child safety regulations without compromising user privacy, according to a Financial Times report.
The app will allow users to confirm their age without revealing personal data to platforms — a significant step ahead of the EU’s broader digital identity wallet initiative planned for 2026. While the EU has not mandated a single method of age verification, platforms that serve minors or host harmful content are legally obligated to mitigate related risks.
“This is a very important priority for us, and we will take more action here,” said EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen. Speaking to the Financial Times, she emphasized the need for tech companies to step up voluntarily. “It would be very good if platforms created designs with a high level of security, privacy, and safety for minors.”
The initiative comes amid growing scrutiny of online platform design, particularly features that promote compulsive use. Meta and TikTok are already under EU investigation for potentially addictive algorithms and so-called “rabbit-hole effects.” Brussels also aims to push platforms to set child accounts to private by default, minimizing exposure to harmful interactions and content.
“Many of the online platforms are using a design that is very addictive,” Virkkunen said. “Minors are using [these apps] hours and hours… this has an impact on their wellbeing.”
In parallel, the European Commission has launched investigations into four major adult content platforms over concerns that their age verification systems may be failing to prevent minors from accessing explicit material.
Some EU member states are advocating for a unified minimum age to access social media. However, Virkkunen noted that differing national cultures and digital services make such consensus difficult. Instead, she argued, platforms must take greater responsibility for assessing and mitigating risks through better design and safer default settings.
Despite ongoing transatlantic tensions over tech regulation, Virkkunen highlighted that child safety remains a shared concern between Brussels and Washington. In recent talks with US tech CEOs and officials, she noted “a lot of discussion about the protection of minors” globally.
