The EU Kids Act proposal requires age verification for users under 15 accessing online services including games. The current draft's broad definition of 'online games' appears to catch single-player games distributed via platforms like Steam, even if their only online component is updates or authentication, unless the definition is narrowed before the law is finalized.
The EU KIDS Act proposes to protect children online by setting a minimum age of 15 for autonomous social media accounts, requiring safety-by-design principles, and implementing age verification and enforcement mechanisms. The regulation addresses rising health risks from excessive screen time, including sleep disruption and anxiety, through four pillars: social media delay, safety-by-design requirements, age assurance, and strong enforcement.
England and Wales are introducing digital ID technology for age verification at pubs, bars, and restaurants, allowing customers to prove they're over 18 via facial scanning QR codes on their phones. The system, provided by private companies like Yoti and Luciditi, is voluntary and aims to reduce fraud and protect personal data exposure compared to physical ID checks. The technology may later expand to vape and tobacco purchases.
Microsoft has published developer documentation for a Windows 11 API that will allow apps to access users' age brackets and verification status from identity providers without exposing personally identifiable information. The company frames this as a privacy-preserving mechanism for child safety compliance, though the API is not yet active. California's Digital Age Assurance Act will require similar age-range information from operating systems starting in 2027.