EU's Online Age Verification Plan Undermines Fundamental Rights, Claims EFF

By Netvora Tech News

The European Commission's plan to introduce online age verification may result in millions of people across the EU being denied access to essential services and information, according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). The commission has proposed an "Age Verification Mini-ID Wallet" that would allow users to prove their age or lack thereof. This is being touted as a short-term solution. However, the EFF is critical of the technical specifications, arguing that many of the mechanisms proposed to protect user privacy are not necessary but rather optional. The EFF highlights that the app should implement secure hashes and Zero Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs), but this is not mandatory. Furthermore, the organization is concerned about accessibility issues, particularly for those without identification documents such as passports, ID cards, or birth certificates. This includes children and teenagers, who may struggle to obtain an electronic identity. In most EU member states, it is only possible to obtain an ID card or passport without parental consent from the age of 18. If parents do not consent to their child obtaining an ID, the child may not be able to verify their age online, thereby denying them access to essential services. The EFF argues that none of the options proposed by the European Commission make it easy for marginalized groups to verify their age. As a result, millions of people in the EU may be denied access to critical services and information, thereby undermining their fundamental rights. The EFF urges resistance to age verification requirements, citing concerns about privacy and data protection, as well as the potential limitation of freedom of speech. Instead, the organization advocates for ensuring that the internet remains a platform where all voices can be heard, free from discrimination, and where people do not have to share sensitive personal data to access information and connect with others.

The EFF is critical of the European Commission's plan to introduce online age verification.
The organization argues that the plan may result in millions of people being denied access to essential services and information.
The EFF is concerned about accessibility issues, particularly for those without identification documents.
The organization urges resistance to age verification requirements, citing concerns about privacy, data protection, and freedom of speech.