Access to pornography at an early age is causing concern in many countries, leading some to implement age verification systems. Countries like France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and even some states in the United States have already implemented these systems. Spain is also preparing its own tool, which is expected to be ready by the end of summer. The average age of initiation to online pornography in Spain is around eight years old, according to the Spanish Data Protection Agency.
There is international consensus on the need to delay young people’s exposure to online pornography, but the methods for doing so are still unclear. Many privacy experts fear that age verification systems could compromise users’ digital anonymity, as they often involve sharing sensitive personal data. The Electronic Frontier Foundation, a leading institution in the protection of digital freedoms, has labeled age verification systems as surveillance tools. The concern is that these systems could be vulnerable to hacking and exploitation of personal information.
There are three main techniques being used to verify the age of users accessing adult content online. The first is requesting a credit card, assuming the cardholder is an adult. The second option is asking for an identification card, which can be verified manually or via artificial intelligence. The third option involves using an automatic facial recognition system. In all cases, users are required to share sensitive data. The French Data Protection Agency has been testing a more privacy-friendly age verification system since 2023, involving an intermediary program between the verification service and the website, maintaining user anonymity.
The Spanish government has not provided many details about its age verification system, but it is expected to be based on European digital identity standards to ensure security and anonymity. The EU has also intervened in the matter through the Digital Services Act, affecting major pornographic platforms that must verify users’ age. These platforms currently rely on self-reporting by users to confirm their age. While the French method offers improvements over other techniques, it still has limitations, such as user IP address visibility if not using a VPN.
Despite the drawbacks of existing methods, there is a need for more secure and privacy-friendly age verification systems to protect minors from early exposure to pornography online. The challenge lies in finding a balance between verifying age without compromising user anonymity and privacy. By leveraging technological advancements and encryption techniques, it may be possible to develop more effective and secure age verification tools that safeguard user data and prevent exploitation or hacking. It is crucial for governments and tech companies to prioritize the development of such systems to protect the well-being of children and young internet users.
