By Martin Banks

The EU has moved to protect children from harmful and inappropriate online content.

On Wednesday, the EU Commission adopted a recommendation urging Member States to accelerate the rollout of the EU age verification app and make it available by the end of the year.

The “secure, safe, and privacy-preserving” EU age verification app is, says the EU, a “key step” in protecting children from harmful and inappropriate online content.

The Member States can roll-out the EU age verification as a standalone app or integrate it into a European digital ID wallet.

The recommendation also specifies the actions that Member States should take to ensure the swift availability and interoperability of the EU age verification solution.

The Commission has come up with a bluepint for the app. which enables users to prove they meet a required age threshold without revealing their exact age, identity or any other personal details.

It is now for the Member States to customise and produce the app for their citizens.

An EC source said that protecting kids online is a priority for the Commission.

“Under the Act platforms must ensure a high level of privacy, security and safety for minors online.”

Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy welcomed the move.

“Effective and privacy-preserving age verification is the next piece of the puzzle that we are getting closer to completing, as we work towards an online space where our children are safe and empowered to use positively and responsibly without restricting the rights of adults.”