The EU is testing a prototype age verification app
'Making sure our children and young people are safe online is of paramount importance to this Commission,' said EU tech policy leader Henna Virkkunen. 'The guidelines on the protection of minors for online platforms, combined with the new age verification blueprint, are a huge step forward in this regard. Platforms have no excuse to be continuing practices that put children at risk.'
The age verification app is designed to allow users to prove they are over 18 when accessing restricted adult content online, helping the EU to crack down on platforms that are failing to meet obligations under laws like the DSA, and enabling companies to adopt the bloc's verification toolbox instead of developing their own. The EU Commission says that app users will retain full control over their personal information, such as their exact age or identity, and that the online content they view will remain private.
The verification app prototype will be 'tested and further customized in collaboration with Member States, online platforms and end-users,' according to the EU Commission, with Denmark, Greece, Spain, France, and Italy aiming to launch national age verification apps. It's positioned as a temporary solution that will be superseded by the EU Digital Identity Wallet that's expected to launch in 2026, which aims to provide a way for 'European citizens, residents and businesses to prove who they are when accessing digital services' and a place to 'safely store, share and sign important digital documents.'
While the bloc's DSA rulebook doesn't impose specific age verification requirements, websites and online platforms are obligated to protect the 'health, physical, mental, and moral development' of minors who use their services, and provide them with the 'highest level of privacy, safety, and security.' The new guidance urges online platforms to address concerns around exposing children to harmful content, cyberbullying, unwanted interactions with strangers, and addictive design features.
In May, the EU launched investigations into four large adult content websites — Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos — over concerns that they were failing to have appropriate age verification tools in place to prevent children from accessing pornographic content. The Commission said at the time that it was open to accepting commitments that would remedy these concerns, which may include the implementation of the EU age verification app.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
5 factors that determine the price of wine
The world of wine holds nuances that go far beyond aroma and flavor. Each bottle tells a unique story, shaped by elements that influence its market value. The price of wine is not an arbitrary figure; it reflects a set of variables ranging from the origin of the grapes to the exclusivity of the edition. Understanding these factors allows for a deeper appreciation of each glass and a greater awareness of the work behind its production. Wine Tours From Madrid invites travelers to discover this universe through wine tourism experiences that connect them with the essence of Spanish vineyards and wine culture. Essential factors that define the value of a wine Wine Tours From Madrid highlights that to understand the price differences between bottles, it is important to analyze five fundamental aspects. The first is production cost, a factor that extends beyond the mere process of making wine. This includes variables such as the quality of oak barrels used, whether vinification processes are manual or automated, and investments in state-of-the-art facilities. Additional costs come from bottle design, labeling, and closures, where a premium natural cork can increase the price compared to a synthetic one. The second factor is the price of grapes. Native grape varieties that are difficult to cultivate or come from internationally renowned vineyards tend to raise the cost of raw materials. Furthermore, climatic conditions during each harvest and the size of the vineyards directly influence the quality and, consequently, the final value of the product. Wines produced from limited vineyard plots will always command a higher price. Aging represents the third key element. Wines that undergo extended maturation periods, both in oak barrels and bottles, require time, space, and resources, all of which translate into additional costs for wineries. This process enhances aromatic complexity and structure, often justifying the price difference when compared to younger, fresher wines. The fourth factor is the designation of origin, which ensures specific quality standards and protects the distinctive characteristics of each region. Achieving this certification requires compliance with strict regulations regarding cultivation methods, permitted grape varieties, and winemaking practices. This distinction adds prestige and value to a bottle, inevitably affecting its price. Finally, the exclusivity of a limited edition or a winery with an established reputation in the market can position a wine as a luxury product. Reduced production, restricted access to certain bottles, and international demand contribute to a sense of scarcity that drives up prices. Alongside these main factors, there are secondary elements such as brand reputation, vintage year, packaging, and applicable taxes. Even the point of sale plays a role: the same label can vary significantly in price between a gourmet shop, a fine dining restaurant, or the winery itself. Wine Tours From Madrid: experiences to appreciate every detail Through its wine tourism routes in Ribera del Duero, La Rioja, and La Mancha, Wine Tours From Madrid offers the chance to gain first-hand insight into these elements. Its itineraries allow visitors to explore historic wineries, take part in expert-led tastings, and enjoy local gastronomy in stunning surroundings. The experiences, designed for small groups with a personalized approach, help participants understand why certain bottles reach higher price points. Beyond the tasting itself, guests discover the connection between tradition, winemaking techniques, and the market, viewing wine as a cultural heritage that extends far beyond its economic value. Media Contact Company Name: WINE TOURS FROM MADRID Contact Person: Press Office Email: Send Email Country: United States Website: Source: Setroi
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Stifel Maintains Bullish Outlook on Realty Income (O) Amid Solid AFFO and Growth Prospects
Realty Income Corporation (NYSE:O) is one of Goldman Sachs' top REIT stock picks. On July 15, Stifel reaffirmed its Buy rating on Realty Income (NYSE:O), keeping the price target steady at $68. A real estate investor inspecting a property, illustrating the bank's portfolio of mortgages and real estate investments. Stifel maintained its 2027 AFFO estimate at $4.52 for Realty Income. The company previously guided 2025 AFFO between $4.22 and $4.28, reflecting modest growth, and is targeting $4.0 billion in acquisitions. Stifel expects this guidance to be revised upward following Realty Income's second-quarter earnings release. Realty Income Corporation (NYSE:O) is a real estate investment trust specializing in single-tenant commercial properties. By year-end 2024, its portfolio spanned 15,621 locations across the United States, United Kingdom, and multiple European Union nations. The $53 billion retail REIT continues to attract investor attention with its reliable 5.5% dividend yield and a 32-year track record of uninterrupted payouts. While we acknowledge the potential of O as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: Goldman Sachs Healthcare Stocks: Top 10 Stock Picks and 11 Best Green Energy Penny Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Politico
2 hours ago
- Politico
US businesses brace for impact of all-out trade war
But on Tuesday, the president struck a slightly less confrontational tone, dismissing the idea that the EU may go through with their proposed retaliatory tariffs. That's a much different reaction than when he threatened to put a 200 percent tariff on European wine and spirits in March. 'Well, I don't know how they can retaliate,' Trump told reporters at the White House, when asked about the EU's new trade war preparations. 'You know, they've made a lot of money. They've treated us very badly, but now they're treating us very nicely, and I think we'll end up, I think everybody's going to be happy with the EU.' Some EU countries, however, are not in the mood to make nice after Trump once again upended the negotiations, sending a blunt weekend letter saying he planned to raise tariffs on the bloc to 30 percent. 'We are partners, and we must reach an agreement,' French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said at a Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels Tuesday. 'The European Union is the United States' largest trading partner, but it is not destined to become a vassal of the United States.' The letter also outraged some in Japan, which has not, to this point, threatened any retaliation to Trump's tariffs. 'We may have to rethink whether being nice, polite, diplomatic, is something that would move President Trump,' a former Japanese official said last week. 'It appears that leverage is the only language that will be understood by the White House.' Domestic companies fear the increasingly harsh rhetoric could escalate into soaring tit-for-tat tariffs next month, which is especially alarming for those that have been in the cross-hairs of a Trump trade war before. Despite months of lobbying from Ireland and France, the EU included bourbon among its tariff targets, in a repeat of Europe's tariff strategy during Trump's first administration. The previous retaliatory tariffs, aimed at the signature industry of then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), caused American whiskey exports to Europe to drop by 20 percent between 2018 and 2021, according to the Distilled Spirits Council, a trade group representing the liquor industry. 'This is devastating for the bourbon industry,' said Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.). 'We don't have to guess, we can just look at what happened last time.' This time, the bourbon industry has also taken a hit in Canada, where the government-controlled liquor stores have pulled 'Made in the USA' products like bourbon from the shelves in response to Trump's threats to make Canada the 51st state.
