The Spanish data protection authority (AEPD) has announced a new initiative to develop guidelines for age verification systems on the internet, in collaboration with the European Data Protection Board (EDPB). This decision was unanimously reached during a Plenary meeting in Brussels.
In December 2023, the AEPD put forward principles that an age verification system should adhere to, with the aim of protecting children and adolescents from accessing inappropriate content online while ensuring the anonymity of adults. These principles were further supported by a practical proposal for an effective age verification system, highlighting the technical feasibility of such measures.
On March 12, 2024, the Council of Ministers of Spain approved the establishment of a Working Group led by the Ministry for Digital Transformation of Spain. This group will focus on enhancing protections for minors accessing online content, with the AEPD and other public organizations contributing to propose technological solutions that prioritize effective age verification while upholding privacy and data protection standards.
The AEPD’s press release about the initiative can be found here, while the Council of Ministers’ announcement can be accessed here, both available only in Spanish.
