The global trade body representing age verification technology providers has submitted its response to the European Commission’s call for evidence regarding the Digital Services Act, focusing on its implications for minors.
The Age Verification Providers Association (AVPA) highlighted that using physical national ID cards for age verification may not be feasible until the European Digital Identity Wallet is available. The AVPA also questioned the necessity of a “double-blind” approach, whereby it is impossible for the user to be identified or tracked by the digital service they are accessing. They argue that there have been no reports of data or privacy breaches in existing age assurance processes.
In an effort to enhance privacy while maintaining market competitiveness, the industry is working through euCONSENT ASBL, a non-profit NGO, to develop a tokenized, interoperable ecosystem. This innovation is aimed at integrating privacy-enhancing technologies into age assurance services.
The 13+ and 18+ standalone attribute in the EU Wallet has been proposed despite it fundamentally being an identity solution hinged on privacy. The AVPA concerns are without some design adjustments, it will not be fully anonymised. There are no plans to give wallets to minors in every Member State, so this is not going to help platforms enforce minimum age restrictions that it wasn’t designed for.
