The European Union is launching an app to verify the ages of social media users

The European Union has developed a special app for age verification on online platforms with the aim of restricting children’s access to social media. 

Reuters reported this, citing a statement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The service will work on mobile devices and computers, allowing users to upload a passport for anonymous identity verification.

The new initiative aims to hold companies more accountable for failing to adequately protect minors in the digital space. According to von der Leyen, Europe will have zero tolerance for platforms that disregard children’s rights. The bloc also plans to establish a coordination mechanism among member states to implement verification systems at the national level.

Despite the launch of the tool, the European Commission acknowledges the difficulty of achieving full control due to the possibility of using VPNs to circumvent restrictions. The goal of the project is not total surveillance, but the creation of effective protection through European regulations governing the digital market. Unlike the experience of other countries or the situation in Russia, the EU is betting on a combination of technological solutions and corporate legal accountability.