EU Push for Mandatory Digital Age Verification (netzpolitik.org)

• Macron seeking consensus on EU-wide age gating
• Coordination with Commission and German leadership confirmed
• Movement toward mandatory online identification schemes

"President Emmanuel Macron is actively lobbying EU leadership, including Commission President von der Leyen and Chancellor Merz, to implement mandatory age verification for internet access. The initiative seeks to establish a standardized digital identity requirement across all EU member states, framing it as a necessary measure for safeguarding minors. This move signifies a rapid acceleration toward strict online gatekeeping protocols."