EU rolls out privacy-friendly online age checks across Europe

The European Union unveiled a privacy-preserving age-verification tool to verify users’ ages for access to age-restricted online content, with seven member states planning to deploy by year-end. The system uses zero-knowledge proofs and allows three proof methods (passport, national ID, or a trusted attestation via QR code) and is optional for platforms but preferred to meet legal requirements. While officials say it protects kids, privacy advocates warn it could undermine anonymity and raise data-access concerns, urging stronger enforcement of existing rules instead of relying on the new technology.