EU Kids Act Sparks Backlash Over Age Verification and AI Safeguards

Key points

• The EU Kids Act was officially proposed on September 17, 2026, and includes a 99-page framework targeting social media, video-sharing platforms, online games, and AI chatbots.
• Stop Killing Games founder Ross Scott labeled the proposal 'draconian,' arguing it uses AI and child safety as a 'cover' to mandate personal identifying information for online gaming and to outlaw private game servers.
• The proposal defines a 'video game' as an 'information society service' (a service provided for remuneration at a distance), which critics fear could force age verification on all digitally purchased games, even those without online features.
• Article 14 of the act imposes specific safeguards on AI companions, requiring providers to avoid design features that create emotional dependency and to restrict the reuse of personal data from previous interactions.
• The legislation shifts the burden of proof to service providers, requiring them to demonstrate that their platforms are safe and age-appropriate rather than waiting for regulators to establish harm after the fact.

Background

The EU Kids Act follows a series of earlier drafts and announcements in September 2026 that outlined tiered age restrictions, such as blocking autonomous accounts for under-15s and introducing parental controls for younger users. Previous coverage highlighted concerns over monetization practices like loot boxes and login bonuses, as well as the broader shift toward privacy-preserving age-verification technologies.

How outlets are covering it

The debate is sharply divided between consumer advocacy groups and legal/medical experts. According to Kotaku, Stop Killing Games' Ross Scott views the act as a 'bomb' that could implode the industry, criticizing the vague definition of 'video game' and the potential ban on private servers. In contrast, the Law Society of Ireland and the Children’s Rights Alliance argue that companies must bear the cost of protecting children, emphasizing that the act reverses the burden of proof to ensure platforms are safe by design. Meanwhile, European Scientist notes that while some AI safeguards in Article 14 are supported by empirical evidence regarding emotional dependency, others rely on precaution, suggesting the law should distinguish between proven harms and uncertain risks. CDT Europe warns that the legislation must not come with 'democratic shortcuts' or undermine fundamental rights, urging a balanced approach that protects children without eroding privacy.

Why it matters

The outcome of the EU Kids Act will set a precedent for global digital regulation, potentially forcing major platforms like Steam and PlayStation to overhaul their age-verification systems. If passed in its current form, the act could significantly alter the business models of online gaming and AI development, while also establishing new standards for how minors interact with digital services across the European Union.

What to watch

The proposal is currently in the earliest stage of the EU legislative process and is expected to be reviewed and amended before reaching the European Parliament and EU Council for a vote. Advocacy groups are urging the public to spread awareness to influence the final text, while legal experts are monitoring how the act addresses privacy-preserving age verification and the specific definitions of 'video game' and 'AI companion'.