In many countries, governments are becoming increasingly concerned about the effects of early exposure to pornography on minors. As a result, age verification systems are being implemented to restrict access to this content. Countries such as France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States have already put in place such systems or are considering doing so. Spain is also preparing its own tool, which is expected to be ready by the end of summer.
While there is agreement among nations that young people should delay their initiation of online porn consumption, there is debate over how best to implement age verification systems without compromising user privacy. Various techniques are being used for age verification, including credit card checks, identity card requests, and facial recognition systems. However, all these methods involve users sharing sensitive data, raising concerns about privacy and security.
One approach that has been taken to address these concerns is through the use of digital intermediaries that ensure user anonymity during the age verification process. The French government has been testing such a system that does not reveal user identities to verifiers or websites. This method has been deemed more secure and less vulnerable to hacking compared to other verification methods.
While details on the implementation of Spain’s age verification system based on European standards are still unknown, it is likely that it will follow a similar approach as France’s system in terms of user anonymity and security. The EU’s Digital Services Regulation also requires age verification for users on major pornography platforms. While many platforms currently rely on self-reporting of user age, this regulation aims to enhance verification processes to prevent minors from accessing inappropriate content.