The European Union is preparing to launch a new age-verification app in July, selecting Spain’s pajaporte digital wallet technology as the foundation for this interim solution. The initiative is part of a broader push to enforce online age checks across the bloc, particularly in response to concerns about minors accessing adult content and other age-restricted services.
Spain’s Pajaporte Chosen for EU-Wide Deployment
Spain was selected due to its progress in developing age-verification mechanisms based on secure digital identity. Pajaporte, developed for domestic use, allows users to register through electronic ID, digital certificates, or the national Cl@ve system. The app generates 30 anonymous credentials valid for 30 days, each of which can be used up to 10 times on a specific platform. These credentials cannot be shared across sites, adding a layer of privacy protection.
When accessing age-restricted content, users scan a QR code with the app to confirm age eligibility. No other personal data is shared, aligning with EU data minimization principles. The app is being developed as a white-label solution by Deutsche Telekom and Scytáles, allowing each EU member state to customize it for national regulations and languages.
The rollout is intended as a stopgap until the full European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI) is deployed. That system, which is expected to be available by December 2026, is undergoing pilot testing across multiple sectors, including travel and payments. Spain’s pajaporte app is expected to be interoperable with EUDI once it becomes widely available.
Privacy Measures and Remaining Challenges
The launch comes amid an ongoing investigation by the European Commission into several adult websites for failing to implement adequate age checks. The EU’s goal is to establish a secure, standardized method for age verification that protects minors without compromising user privacy. The app will incorporate cryptographic techniques such as zero-knowledge proofs, allowing age to be verified without revealing a user’s identity.
While the privacy-first design has been welcomed by EU officials, the initiative has also faced criticism. Digital rights advocates have raised concerns about potential digital exclusion, particularly for users without smartphones or digital ID access. Others have warned of “scope creep,” where systems initially designed for age checks could be repurposed for broader surveillance or control of online content.
In addition to Spain, other EU member states including France and Greece are participating in pilot programs exploring different age-verification approaches. The July launch will represent the EU’s first coordinated step toward standardizing age checks across digital platforms, though the system remains in development and subject to ongoing stakeholder feedback.
Sources: Cybernews, Telecompaper, Identity Week
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June 2, 2025 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team
