Age verification on social media in the EU from 2025: how the new app will work and what Ukrainians should prepare for

From July 1, 2025, social media and streaming services in the EU will require age verification through a special app. Find out who will be affected by the new rules, how verification will work, and what will change for Ukrainians

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Starting in July 2025, all adult Internet users in the European Union will have to verify their age using a special mobile app. This decision was made by the European Commission to improve online safety for kids. Without age verification, access to popular social networks, streaming platforms, and some websites will be partially or completely restricted.

What does the innovation entail: how will age verification work through the app?

The age verification system will be a temporary solution until the launch of the EU eID, which is planned for the end of 2026. The tool is being developed by Scytales and T-Systems. According to the plan, the app will be created in a white-label format, which will allow it to be adapted to the technical and language requirements of each individual EU country.

This means that in France, Poland, or Germany, this app may have different names, appearances, and technical designs, but the principle of operation will remain the same: user identification by age.

A beta version is already available for testing by developers, and a full launch is planned for July 1, 2025. This means that preparations for the changes need to start now: the new digital rules are not a matter of choice, but a new reality for the European Internet.

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Which websites and platforms will require age verification?

Age verification will not only apply to websites with explicit content or gambling. The new rules cover all platforms with age restrictions, including:

● YouTube

● TikTok

● Instagram

● Facebook

● Snapchat

● Pinterest

● LinkedIn

● X (formerly Twitter)

Most of these services allow registration from 13 to 16 years of age, but these restrictions are often ignored. With the introduction of the new app, users without verified age may lose access to their accounts or certain features.

Why is the EU introducing mandatory verification?

The initiative is part of the Digital Services Act (DSA), which came into force in August 2023. Its main goal is to make the digital space safer and more responsible. Mandatory requirements for platforms include:

● introducing age verification;

● using private settings by default for minors' profiles;

● providing convenient parental control tools.

The European Commission has already launched official investigations against Meta (Facebook, Instagram), TikTok, and the largest adult websites: Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos. These companies are suspected of failing to adequately protect children online. Violations of the rules will result in heavy fines of up to 6% of global turnover.

We remind you! Temporary protection for Ukrainians will most likely be extended until 2027, but at the same time, the EU is preparing return and integration strategies for citizens. Read about the new initiatives proposed by the European Commission and what will change for Ukrainians in the EU in our previous article.

Photo: Freepik

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