Google opposition on online age check

The American Google technology giant reaffirmed its opposition to the proposal (which it characterizes as a « misleading ») promoted by its meta rival (Facebook, Instagram) to introduce age for online users in application stores, AFP reports.

Imposing this measure on Google Play or Apple Store « would require sharing granular data with millions of developers who do not need them, » Google argued in a blog post, expressing « concern about the risks that this » solution « would represent for children ».

This position is also shared by Apple. In a document published in February, the company stressed that « only a small part of the applications requires the age of the age » and that the « right place » to apply this verification is limited to « websites and applications ».

According to Google, this would also allow « application developers to evade from responsibilities », being at the same time inefficient, because « computers or other devices usually in families would not be covered. »

The group responds to an advertising campaign launched in May by Meta, which requires « European regulations that require the age of the age and the parents’ consent in the application store » to « better protect » minors.

« Adolescents use an average of 44 applications per week. Therefore, the age of the application store would simplify the lives of parents, which should confirm their child’s age, instead of doing it for each application, » says Meta on the Instagram site.

The European Regulation on digital services (DSA), which has entered into force last year, stipulates that the age of the users of services is the responsibility of the applications or sites itself.

But some content providers, such as the Aylo pornographic giant, support the age of the device and operating system.

This approach « would change the protocols of the decentralized web, with difficult consequences, » Google replies in posting on his blog.

This exchange of replies comes in the context in which the problem gains land in France and Europe. Last week, several EU countries, including France, Spain and Greece, have asked Brussels to continue to use the online platforms by children, against the backdrop of their addictive nature, as well as the dangers of cyber harassment and the proliferation of hate instigator discourse.

On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron has committed to prohibit social networks for children under 15 years in France if, « in a few months », this will not happen at European level.