What to know about the EU’s new age verification app to protect children online

The European Commission says its free, anonymous age-verification app is ready for rollout across the EU.

Member states must make the tool available by the end of 2026, with support for ID documents and possible integration into Digital Identity Wallets.

The app is meant to help enforce online age limits and protect minors from harmful content, grooming, and cyberbullying.

The move comes as the EU faces privacy concerns while tightening digital safety enforcement on major platforms like Meta, Instagram, and Facebook.