US EditionAfter the UK, Online Age Verification Is Landing in the EU
EUROPEAN UNION, JUL 28 – The EU's app requires Google Play Integrity API, blocking unlicensed Android apps and sideloaded apps, raising concerns about digital sovereignty and privacy among developers.
- The EU is piloting a mandatory age verification system in 2025 across five member states to restrict minors from accessing adult content online.
- This initiative follows the UK's Online Safety Act enforcement on July 25, 2025, aiming to enhance child protection amid concerns of VPN use to bypass checks.
- The EU system requires apps to use Google's Play Integrity API for Android verification, blocking sideloaded apps and limiting alternative app distribution methods.
- VPN apps, notably Proton VPN, saw an 1800% surge in UK downloads after UK rules took effect, while experts warn many free VPNs pose privacy and security risks.
- The rollout raises concerns over digital sovereignty, privacy, and developer burdens, suggesting significant future debates about reliance on US-owned infrastructure.
13 Articles
13 Articles
The EU will have an age-checking app, but a problem has been detected. It depends entirely on Google and will leave many smartphones out
The EU is working on an app with which millions of people will be able to prove their age in the future. However, criticism is already sparked by the prototype: a bond with Google services would strengthen US companies and even violate their own EU requirements. Android can also be used well without Google. – Public-free-like released by unsplash.com Guido CoppaThe EU Commission wants to control the age of Internet users more often.For example, …
The EU's age verification application is the subject of criticism because of its dependence on Google the use of the Play Integrity API raises a debate on the EU's digital sovereigntyThe European Commission published in mid-July 2025 the technical specifications of an open source age verification application as part of its online minors protection project. France, Italy, Spain, Greece, etc. will be able to integrate the tool into their own appli…
The EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) requires social networks, content distribution sites, and other platforms to protect minors. The EU is developing an age verification app to protect minors, but the app's planned integrity check function will only recognize "Android OS licensed by Google" and "Android apps downloaded from Google Play," sparking outrage among internet users.
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