Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002670/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Dan-Ştefan Motreanu (PPE)
The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) welcomed the Commission’s draft guidelines on the protection of minors online, but raised significant concerns regarding their alignment with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In particular, the EDPB warns that following the guidelines does not automatically guarantee GDPR compliance, especially in relation to age verification mechanisms.
The Board criticises algorithmic age estimation methods for their high error rates and their potential infringement on users’ fundamental rights to data protection. It also highlights the importance of safeguarding minors’ rights to access digital spaces and of ensuring that any third-party software used by platforms is compliant and effective.
Given these concerns:
- 1.What concrete measures does the Commission plan to take to ensure that the final version of the guidelines fully upholds the principles of the GDPR?
- 2.How will the Commission guarantee that online platforms, particularly those relying on third-party tools, implement age verification methods that are both effective and respectful of fundamental rights?
Submitted: 1.7.2025