Brussels, 31 July 2024
The EU Commission has launched a call for evidence to gather views on its Guidelines on the protection of minors online, which, once adopted, will set out how online platforms should implement high levels of privacy, safety and security for minors online, as required by the Digital Services Act.
The Commission is seeking feedback on the proposed scope and approach of the Guidelines, as well as on best practices and recommendations on mitigation measures for the risks that minors may encounter online. The Commission invites all stakeholders to contribute to the call for evidence, including by providing supporting scientific reports and research.
Online platforms will need to ensure that the rights and best interests of children are at the heart of the design of their services. Platforms will have to adopt a risk-based approach, carry out regular impact assessments and implement mitigation measures for any potential risks to minors arising from their services. Work between the Commission and Member States on a harmonised approach to age verification will also be reflected in the Guidelines.
With the exception of micro and small enterprises, the Guidelines on the protection of minors will apply to all online platforms accessible to minors, including those that are not intended for minors but still have minor users, for example due to inadequate age verification mechanisms.
The call for evidence will remain open until 30 September 2024. The Commission will use stakeholder input to draft the Guidelines and conduct a separate consultation on the draft Guidelines, which are expected to be adopted before summer 2025.
About this initiative
The Digital Services Act aims to make the online world safer for children and it requires providers of all online platforms accessible to them to put in place measures to ensure a high level of privacy, safety and security as part of their service.
It also empowers the Commission to issue guidelines to help providers of online platforms apply this high level of protection for minors. The Commission intends to adopt these guidelines in the first half of 2025.
In order to contribute you’ll need to register or login using your existing social media account.
Call for evidence – Ares(2024)5538916 – English – (372.4 KB – PDF – 4 pages) – Download
Source – EU Commission