The European Parliament's LIBE committee on 6 May 2026 debated age verification for minors online, AI governance, and firearms trafficking, with broad consensus on stronger online protection for minors and privacy centrality, but divergences on specific approaches.
On age verification, Yve Volman (Commission, DG CONNECT) presented an open-source app proving only age thresholds, linked to DSA enforcement. Vincent Toubiana (French DPA) and Francisco Pérez (Spanish DPA) backed privacy-preserving, certified combinations. Simeon De Brouwer (EDRi) argued age checks distract from harmful platform design, while Giulia Torchio (5Rights) supported risk-based, rights-respecting assurance only as a fail-safe. Marketa Gregorova (Greens/EFA) criticized facial-recognition checks as discriminatory. Kai Rannenberg (Goethe University) disputed the app's technical readiness.
On Spain's rule of law, Javier Zarzalejos (EPP) and Garcia Hermida Van Der Walle (Renew) found no systemic backsliding but persistent concerns. Lopez Aguilar (S&D) rejected the report as partial, withdrawing S&D support. Jorge Buxadé Villalba (PfE) argued risks were understated.
On AI, Verena Martens (EPP) proposed an AI Observatory; Joraslav Bzoch (PfE) questioned its necessity and treaty basis. On firearms trafficking, Marina Kaljurand (S&D) presented an EU criminal-law framework. Caterina Chinnici (EPP) backed action but warned against broad blueprint bans. Joraslav Bzoch (PfE) and Jorge Buxadé Villalba (PfE) stressed proportionality for lawful users.
Next steps: AI opinion amendments due 18 May; firearms file to proceed with rapporteur and shadows.