EU Enhances Child Protection with Digital Services Act The proliferation of digital technology has revolutionized our lives, but it has also introduced new challenges. The risks children face in online environments, in particular, are growing in severity, leading to various discussions worldwide on how to address them. The European Commission is drawing attention in the field of digital governance by announcing bold measures to strengthen child online safety, based on the Digital Services Act (DSA). The open-source age verification app recently launched by the EU Commission is designed not merely as a new technological adoption, but as a public digital infrastructure that simultaneously achieves transparency, auditability, and privacy protection. This could set a precedent for strengthening platform accountability and child protection in a digital era where technology and regulation coexist. Currently, child users on online platforms are exposed to harmful content, have their personal information stolen, and are even at risk of cyberbullying. Existing age verification systems, in particular, have been criticized for their low effectiveness, as most rely on users' self-declaration. Children could bypass age restrictions with simple information input, and platforms often did not bear substantial responsibility for this. To address the issues of such vulnerable self-declaration systems, the EU Commission has adopted a new approach combining privacy-first technology with strict platform accountability. The newly introduced age verification app is provided as open-source, ensuring transparency and auditability, and is designed so that anyone can review and improve its code. This is profoundly significant as it enhances the reliability of the app as a public digital infrastructure and lays the groundwork for diverse stakeholders to participate. The core technology of this app is 'Zero-knowledge proof'. Zero-knowledge proof is a field of cryptography that allows one to prove the truth of certain information without revealing the information itself. While traditional identity verification processes typically require sensitive information such as a user's name, date of birth, and address, zero-knowledge proof technology enables verification of necessary qualifications without disclosing these specific details. The EU's age verification app verifies age using government-issued identification. Users submit their ID, but the app does not disclose the user's identity or exact date of birth to the platform. Instead, it merely shares the age qualification, for example, '18 years or older'. This allows users to provide only the fact that they meet the legal age requirements to the platform, enabling them to safely use digital platforms without privacy concerns. This design goes beyond mere technical advantages, focusing on guaranteeing and protecting user rights. By enabling effective age verification without compromising privacy protection, it presents a model that can simultaneously achieve the dual goals of personal data protection and child safety. Furthermore, the app is designed to ensure interoperability with systems across the EU. Although each member state has different identification systems and digital infrastructures, the app can provide consistent age verification services amidst this diversity. At the same time, it offers flexibility for customized application to meet the specific requirements of individual countries and platforms. This reflects the EU's policy philosophy of respecting both unity and diversity. The launch of this age verification app is part of the EU's broader child safety and digital governance strategy. The EU had previously announced an action plan in February targeting cyberbullying, harmful content, and addictive platform designs, and this app launch is one of its implementation measures. As the risks children face online increase, the EU aims to solve these problems through a comprehensive and systematic approach, rather than fragmented responses. Cyberbullying severely impacts children's mental health, and exposure to harmful content hinders their healthy development. Moreover, addictive platform designs can lead children to spend excessive time online, negatively affecting their physical and social development. Recognizing these complex issues, the EU is implementing a multi-layered strategy that combines technological solutions with regulatory measures. Zero-Knowledge Proof Technology Ensures Both Privacy and Security Particularly noteworthy is the clear shift of compliance responsibility to platforms. In the past, the responsibility for child protection primarily rested with parents, guardians, or individual users, but the EU is now imposing direct responsibility on platform operators through the Digital Services Act. Platforms will now face legal sanctions if they fail to take appropriate measures for child safety. The EU Commission has warned of a 'zero-tolerance' principle, stat
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