Non-attached MEP Friedrich Pürner has raised concerns over the European Commission's newly unveiled digital age verification app, questioning whether the promised 'complete anonymity' can be guaranteed in practice. The app, launched on 15 April 2026, aims to protect children online by verifying users' ages without revealing their identity. Pürner's written question, submitted on 16 April 2026 under Rule 144, targets potential privacy risks for EU citizens and puts pressure on the Commission to clarify technical safeguards.
Concrete asks on logging and metadata
Pürner's question contains three specific demands. First, he asks how the Commission will ensure that national issuing authorities do not log user-identifying information, and what monitoring mechanisms will enforce anonymity. Second, he requests binding technical and legal requirements to prevent collection of metadata such as IP addresses, device identifiers, or timestamps in apps or backend systems. Third, he seeks assurances that the age verification function will not be linked to other state or private systems that could enable identification or profiling.
Policy direction: privacy vs. child protection
The question reflects a tension between child protection goals and data privacy rights. While the Commission frames the app as a tool to shield minors from harmful content, Pürner's intervention signals a push for stronger privacy safeguards. The MEP appears to advocate for strict data minimisation and decentralised verification, potentially slowing implementation if his concerns are not addressed.
Expected follow-up
The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks. Its answer will signal whether it prioritises rapid deployment of the app or accommodates privacy concerns, and may reveal the level of technical detail the Commission is willing to disclose. The reply could also influence Member States' implementation plans and future legislative proposals on digital identity. Stakeholders such as tech companies developing verification systems, child safety NGOs, and digital rights groups will be watching closely.