Age Checks Online: Privacy at Risk?

 

Across the internet, the question of proving age is no longer optional, it’s becoming a requirement. Governments are tightening rules to keep children away from harmful content, and platforms are under pressure to comply. 

From social media apps and online games to streaming services and even search engines, users are now being asked to show they are over 18 before they can continue. Whether in the UK, US, EU, or Australia, more and more websites now demand proof that users are over 18. In Britain, the Online Safety Act introduced strict rules from July 25, 2025.

People must now verify their age by scanning their face, uploading an official ID, or using a credit card. The aim is to keep children away from harmful content, but experts warn these steps could create serious risks by collecting and storing large amounts of sensitive information. 

A Possible Fix

To reduce these risks, governments and companies are exploring digital ID wallets. These apps could confirm a user’s age without exposing full identity details. 

Evin McMullen, Co-Founder of Privado ID, argues that current UK rules are flawed. She warns they build “a centralised honey pot of data” that hackers could exploit. Instead, she believes age checks should be quick, safe, and forgetful." 

Different Approaches Across Regions The European Union is already running pilot projects in five countries. This forms part of the upcoming European Digital Identity Wallet, expected to roll out by 2026. Supporters say it could protect both children and privacy. 

However, concerns remain because EU lawmakers are also debating rules that might weaken encryption, the very technology that keeps data safe. In the United States, there is no single standard. Instead, several states have passed their own age-verification laws. 

This patchwork has left companies struggling to adapt. Some, such as Bluesky, have even withdrawn services from states where rules were too complex or costly to follow. 

What We Should Expect ? 

Technology exists to make age checks secure and private, but trust depends on how governments implement the laws. If privacy protections are weakened, digital ID wallets could end up being more of a surveillance tool than a safety solution. For now, the debate continues, will these wallets safeguard users or become another risk to online privacy?