One of the biggest complaints we hear is that platform owners don’t have clear rules for age verification, and they want a tool that keeps them compliant without putting users at risk or adding unnecessary friction. AgeWallet supports these requirements and keeps user data safe.
The Digital Services Act sets new expectations for online safety in the European Union. These rules apply to any site that shows adult content or content that can harm minors.
In the sections below, we’ll explore how the DSA works, how it relates to age verification in the EU, and how individual EU countries enforce their own rules.
What the DSA Is and Why It Matters for You
The Digital Services Act is a major EU law that took full effect in 2024. It covers every online service available to users in the EU. You must follow the DSA if you host, share, or sell content online.
The DSA focuses on user safety, privacy, and transparency. It also gives you clear duties when minors use your platform. You must protect minors from content that can harm them.
The DSA does not give you a single technical method for age checks. Instead, it tells you the outcome you must reach. You need a system that checks age in a way that works, keeps data private, and does not mislead your users.
According to a 2025 policy brief on youth online exposure in Europe, harms such as cyberbullying, sexual abuse risks, and exposure to harmful content remain a major concern across EU countries.
“Platforms need simple and reliable ways to keep kids safe online. The DSA raises the bar for everyone,” says Prof. Sonia Livingstone, a leading researcher on digital childhood safety at the London School of Economics.
What the DSA Requires From You
The DSA sets four clear expectations.
1. You must use a reliable age check
You cannot rely on age gates like “I am 18” checkboxes. You need a method that truly checks age.
2. You must protect user privacy
The DSA requires you to collect only the data you need. You cannot store extra information. You cannot store sensitive documents unless the law forces you to do so.
3. You must avoid misleading design
The DSA bans dark patterns (deceptive techniques to manipulate user behavior). You cannot build pages that trick minors into continuing. You also cannot make it easy to bypass age checks.
4. Larger platforms must document risks
Very Large Online Platforms must perform risk assessments and audits. This includes showing that their age verification method works.
How EU Age Verification Rules Are Applied
EU countries follow the DSA. They also create their own rules. Some countries enforce strict age verification. Others are building new frameworks.
France
France enforces some of the strongest age verification rules in the world. You must use an independent service. Sites cannot handle age checks themselves. You also cannot link user identity to their browsing activity.
Germany
Germany uses a certified age verification model under the JMStV. Your method must meet strict criteria. You often need identity-level assurance and liveness checks.
Italy
Italy does not yet have a single AV law. It does expect you to use real age verification for adult content. Italy also uses national digital identity systems like SPID and CIE for online age checks. Italy supports the EU plan for digital identity wallets.
Spain
Spain does not have a national age verification law yet. It enforces harm prevention rules. It expects platforms to block minors from harmful content. New laws are in development for 2025 and 2026.
Ireland
Ireland has no dedicated AV law yet. It does have regulator powers under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act. New Online Safety Codes will require age assurance by 2026.
United Kingdom
The UK does not follow EU law, but its rules matter. The Online Safety Act now requires strong age assurance for adult and harmful content.
Australia Joins the Global Shift in 2026
Australia completed its Age Assurance Roadmap in 2024. It now plans to require age verification for online pornography and R18+ content starting in 2026. The roadmap recommends privacy-first tools, including digital tokens and age wallets.
How AgeWallet Helps You Follow EU Age Verification & DSA Rules
You need a tool that works across the EU and beyond. AgeWallet gives you a simple and private way to verify age.
AgeWallet protects user privacy
You verify age using an approved regional method. AgeWallet stores the result in a private token. This token confirms age without exposing identity. You do not collect documents. You do not store user data. You avoid unnecessary risk.
AgeWallet gives you accurate checks
AgeWallet uses approved verification partners. These partners check government IDs and use live biometric checks. You get clear and reliable results.
You integrate AgeWallet easily
You add AgeWallet through an API, a small script, or a QR-based token flow. Your users do not need to repeat verification on every site.
AgeWallet aligns with future digital ID systems
The EU plans to roll out digital identity wallets under eIDAS 2.0. Italy’s SPID and CIE already move in this direction. Australia plans similar systems. AgeWallet is built to fit this model and future verification models.
“Reusable age tokens reduce risk for users and platforms. They give people control over their information, and our modular platform allows us to quickly and easily adapt to constantly evolving verification laws” says Brady Louveau, Founder & CEO of AgeWallet.
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FAQ
What does the DSA require for age verification
You must use a method that checks age accurately and protects privacy. You cannot rely on checkboxes or simple pop-ups.
Do all EU countries enforce age verification the same way
No. France and Germany enforce strict rules. Spain, Ireland, and Italy are still building their systems but expect real age assurance.
Does AgeWallet store user identity
No. AgeWallet stores a token that confirms age without storing personal details.
Does the UK Online Safety Act require age verification
Yes. The UK requires strong age assurance for adult and harmful content.
Does Australia require age verification
Yes. Australia will require age verification for adult content starting in 2026.