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Child Item

EU Online Age Verification (Age assurance) been enforced from 21st July 2025

corkie

Some people may have labeled me a doomsayer when I raised concerns about this back in April 2024!

Even boards.ie will need to comply with the rules/guidelines!

So far Bluesky choice of provider has been highly criticized online for choice of provider KWS (Epic Games Owner), due to privacy policy of that provider.

Reddit implementation in the UK has received allot backlash as well.

These guidelines are going to be headache for small content creators using static github pages, with them style pages, you won't have access to providers api to achieve the requirements set out by the EU for the process.

I rolled out my own verification method last night for my PWA's, requiring people to get a code from a NSFW reddit sub (as that is age gated). Doing more so as hindrance than to comply with the EU age verification regulations. My viewers where displaying unfiltered adult content (bypassed moderation) from PDS records.

Not going to repost links shared on the 'X Thread (read from here)' in this post!

I believe this topic, ideally requires it's own thread, rather than been discussed in above thread or other threads?

@Grayson & @magicbastarder Maybe interested in this thread? Rather than off topic discussion in 'X Thread'!

As always thanks for taking time to read!

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Mike Murdock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058419855/eu-online-age-verification-age-assurance-been-enforced-from-21st-july-2025

Gotta love the EU. So obsessed with useless regulation, they fall further and further behind in innovation.

One eyed Jack

Even boards.ie will need to comply with the rules/guidelines!

They’re guidelines though, not rules, not part of any EU directive, just guidelines, as in ‘if you’d like to implement this on your site, here are some guidelines’, as opposed to ‘you must implement this on your site’.

They’re only trialling the software in a few countries anyway, one of which is not Ireland, and boards won’t have to comply with rules that don’t apply to them.

I think what you’re doing sounds interesting though, reminded me of having to provide a word from the manual that used come with games in order to load the game - was as basic as anti-piracy efforts were back then (but at least the school photocopier was put to good use!).

corkie

@Mike Murdock Thanks for breaking the ice on thread!

@One eyed Jack Maybe guidelines only for now, but for sites like 'X' they will be enforced strictly by the #DSA with possible heavy penalties for non compliance.

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_25_1829

The guidelines under article 28 of the DSA set a high standard for child online safety that is unmatched in the world.
They offer practical, non-exhaustive recommendations for platforms of all sizes to proactively address risks like exposure to harmful or age-inappropriate content.
These guidelines clearly define our expectations for DSA compliance and will serve as an enforcement benchmark

I don't like the way they are calling them 'Guidelines' when they will be enforcing them for large sites.

Oh and thanks for the comment on my silly implementation, an no it doesn't pass EU sanctioned methods!

corkie

Why do people online not realise what powers our Coimisiún na Meán (Ireland's media regulator) has on EU wide level?

The Irish Online Safety Code and sanctions can have de facto EU-wide consequences for these companies, since their EU operations are managed from Ireland.

If a platform has its EU headquarters in Ireland, decisions and compliance obligations imposed under the Online Safety Code are enforced on an EU-wide basis by Irish authorities. This is why Ireland’s regulatory actions, penalties, or investigations are particularly significant—and why many of these platforms’ EU-level legal notices and privacy policies refer to their Irish entity.

In summary: All of the major listed platforms except possibly Tumblr have their EU headquarters in Ireland, so breaches of Ireland’s Online Safety Code can trigger EU-wide enforcement through Irish regulators

I was surprised to see Reddit on the list and they got fierce backlash for Implementing UK Laws early?

corkie

Adrian Weckler article from today's business supplement with the Independent: -

Is Elon Musk trying to tell us something? And is it ‘Eff you, Coimisiún na Meán?’
^^ Archive.ph (add to whitelist on DNS/Ad blockers)
"Passport uploads to access X? {or other sites listed above? ~ My edit}

That, in theory, is what Irish {And EU} people are looking at from tomorrow, as tough new age-verification measures against children accessing adult content online take effect in Ireland { and EU Wide}, under the Online Safety Code."

This article is more an attack on 'X' than actually provide any useful information like the above list.

I am hoping that since I have a 17+ years google account, I won't be requested to verify to use youtube. And my reddit account is 11 years old, so if they ask to verify, did I create the account when I was under 7? (I know some parents create profiles for their children/babies at times?)

If anyone is interested in the process to verify with a passport might take check out this link: -

https://passportreader.app/demo

I did it myself, yesterday, with an application to verify your humanity for a social platform.

I was undecided to post above here or in the 'X Thread'? {Items in these brackets are my edits}

Irish Aris

@corkie

On your YouTube example above, what does this practically mean?

I would assume that if one doesn’t verify their age, they won't be able to access any content that's age restricted?

corkie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123653941#Comment_123653941

It is very hard to know what exact limitations will be placed yet, because nobody knows and the powers that be have not provided exact details. And it is up to Platforms themselves to enforce the guidelines/rules in there own decided manner.

Have a look at what is happening with Reddit in the UK (introduced uk laws on monday).

I am using an 18+ Restricted youtube short (and NSFW reddit sub) to provided access code for my own PWA viewers.

The platforms depending on their content may decided to Age check for all access or just to specific content 18+ ( and NSFW) content.

Irish Aris

Thank you @corkie .

Sounds quite similar to the process I had to go through the first time I had to book in Airbnb - although, if I recall correctly, theirs is for different reasons.

CardF

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058419855/eu-online-age-verification-age-assurance-been-enforced-from-21st-july-2025

what.

corkie

^^ The guidelines under the Digital Services Act emphasise that platforms must identify how risky their content is to children, and then take practical and workable steps so that children don’t access it. File picture

It's crystal clear that an unregulated digital world carries far too many risks for the young

While technology is with us and brings great benefits to everyone, tech platforms and those who are in the business of selling their digital products and advertising to us, must do it in a way that is decent and fair, writes Noeline Blackwell « « Archive.ph (whitelist it)

They emphasise that platforms must identify how risky their content is to children, and then take practical and workable steps so that children don’t access it.
They must have practical, effective age assurance systems to stop children from accessing inappropriate content.
The second and final section of Coimisiún na Meán’s Online Safety Code comes into effect today. This applies to a smaller number of companies but includes some of the largest social media companies, which have their European headquarters in Ireland.
Noeline Blackwell is the Online Safety Co-Ordinator with the Children's Rights Alliance

Now the above is more effective and informative article compared to Adrian Weckler attack on the process! Well worth reading, some highlights bulleted above.

I knew that this article was incoming since midnight because google search had a broken link to it.

@CardF Do better with your replies?

corkie

I was thinking of editing my previous post with this:-

https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/0721/1524435-online-platform-verification/

In May, Coimisiún na Meán de-designated Reddit as a platform under its remit, stating that the company's service to users in the EU is now provided by a Dutch entity. ~ Source ref cnam

I also asked RTE to make it a Clarity article?

Edit: - Noeline Blackwell was on the One O'clock News and said: -

"If platforms don't have robust measures in place from today, then don't show the content!"

Or words to the same effect!

And my query about been age verified for youtube won't apply to me based on this: -

Google Account: Access age-restricted content & features ~ Check you own account? Got the same response for 2 of my accounts.

corkie

RTE Player One O'Clock news ~ Noeline Blackwell (see above) segment starts at 19:38!

Oh and I was honoured by Adrian Weckler replying to me personally on socials today after me questioning (/critique) his article from yesterday! He provided me with a link to below more informative article.

Day one of online age crackdown: no change as children still able to log into adult content and social media sites
^^ Archive.ph {whitelist it} Note only published or updated around 1 so doubt if it is in print?

If i find a clip of the news segment I may edit this post!

z80CPU

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123656638#Comment_123656638

Wonder what Truth Social / $hit Social deals with child subscribers. I was only challenged to give my date of birth so that TS could ensure I was over 18, but that was all apparently.

DoctorEdgeWild

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123653495#Comment_123653495

Seeing an app, in real life, that verifies we are human has just made me feel like I am absolutely living in the future I imagined as a youth with Blade Runner, Terminator and 2000ad swishing around my mind! Absolutely fascinating time to be living through. Clicking the traffic lights and school buses is one thing, but to see STATUS: VERIFIED HUMAN written so starkly on a screen is mind blowing.

extra-ordinary_

So basically all anonymous surfing is over for anyone born after 2007?

[Deleted User]

I'm actively working with other groups on the EBSI initiative, where one of the main goals is to provide EU citizens with SSI (Self Sovereign Identity) where you control how much and what information is shared. This includes things like verification that you are of appropriate age, without actually providing your age, name, location or any other identifying information. You can find more on a broader overview of the general EBSI project here

https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/EBSI/What+is+ebsi#ebsi-ecosystem

If you don't want personal data being under the control of private for profit organisations, I would strongly recommend raising this issue with your local TDs to ensure we increase funding for projects that ensure that at least the states are in control of our anonymised data and can be held accountable.

This is a process and service I feel strongly about and do not want to see the continuation of monetising our personal data. I also have concerns about how these companies will handle our personal data and it leaves people open to blackmail or coercion further down the road should information be leaked or leveraged by bad actors.

corkie

@extra-ordinary_ Think about it some more? Depending on how it gets implemented, it won't matter when you were born, if your required to proof your age on platforms, it means no anonymous surfing for everyone. (Unless like google, you have years history and paid for stuff etc).

@circadian Thanks for your informative post and addition to the thread. And without me searching or confirming myself will that process be integrated with EU Digital Wallet?

[Deleted User]

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123656903#Comment_123656903

It's currently in the R&D phase and in discussion with smaller pan European research groups. However, we would need to see real appetite from member nations for this kind of solution otherwise we'll inevitably be outpaced by private companies providing what I would consider sub-par solutions that don't really solve the problem.

thatsdaft

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123656834#Comment_123656834

Ah imagine a future when we know boards etc posters are actually from/in EU and not some troll boiler room in st Petersburg

[Deleted User]

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058419855/eu-online-age-verification-age-assurance-been-enforced-from-21st-july-2025

Any idea why Reddit aren't taking the same approach in Ireland and the rest of the EU?

[Deleted User]

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123657014#Comment_123657014

Almost certainly monetisation, just like they did with API access a few years ago.

[Deleted User]

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123657037#Comment_123657037

But wouldn't they have the same or greater legal obligations in Ireland, and the rest of the EU now?

corkie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123657014#Comment_123657014

Remember Brexit and UK have their own set of rules and not governed by EU laws. And I was wrong they don't have EU HQ in Ireland anymore since May. See earlier reply.

corkie

Ireland's regulation is not unique, but rather an early and strict national implementation of a process that will become mandatory across the EU within the next year or two, following the phased rollout of EU guidance and technology.

The EU is enforcing a harmonised, risk-based approach to online age verification, with Ireland being one of the more proactive Member States in applying these obligations.

I'm sure other EU Countries regulators will follow suit with similar rules/laws.

Hearing about France plans tonight:-

https://www.politico.eu/article/emmanuel-macron-social-media-ban-minors-france/

Posting on X, Macron said: “I'm banning social media for children under 15. Platforms have the ability to verify age. Let's do it.”
French authorities are already progressing with efforts to force certain social media sites — including X, Reddit, Bluesky and Mastodon — to introduce age verification, by classifying them as pornographic websites.

Some information I go searching for, additional things get fed to me on social circles i'm in.

Just noticed that I have an 18 badge on my reddit profile now for creating a sub and putting up one post Marked NSFW. Even with not posting adult content. Just an access code as I mentioned before.

CardF

Ah ok, you're talking about possible upcoming new regulations on the internet for users across the EU.

Good thread.

Enduro

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123656787#Comment_123656787

Only for sites which fall under these new regulations, which is a tiny proportion of the internet. Not much these regulations can do for sites hosted outside the EU.

corkie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123659289#Comment_123659289

It is been enforced on all the major social platforms because they have EU Headquarters here or other countries in the EU.

Age verification applies to all platforms no matter the size.

Other countries and even the USA have these laws in the pipeline.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_media_age_verification_laws_in_the_United_States

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jul/20/face-age-and-id-checks-using-the-internet-in-australia-is-about-to-fundamentally-change

I had someone warning about the 'Verified Human' app that I posted about. I know the creator of it and did my own checks on the passport reader service he was using before utilising it. I knew about it 6 Months ago but my passport was well out of date, so had time to research it. And didn't use it on an impulse reaction to finding the service.

Even Bluesky which is still small and hosted in USA was required to setup EU HQ!

https://www.euronews.com/next/2025/03/13/bluesky-finally-found-in-belgium

[Deleted User]

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123657501#Comment_123657501

Am I still missing something? Are Reddit expected to bring in the same kind of verification required of UK users now for IE/EU users soon?

corkie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123659768#Comment_123659768

They moved there EQ HQ to the Netherlands in May, so will be governed by that regulator and not CnaM.

So the answer is practically yes reddit will be required to implement age gating for the EU as well.

[Deleted User]

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123659872#Comment_123659872

Thanks, Presumably most users will start VPNing from countries that don't require these checks, which will also screw up the relevance of the advertising that they see.