this post was submitted on 27 Jul 2025
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Yeah no. Requiring anything Google for something as basic as this violates the GDPR. If they go through with this, it's one legal case until they have to revise it.
Edit: German eID works on any Android btw., flawless actually. I sure hope I can use that for verification
Same in Italy... I mean, I can pay taxes with that application but I cannot be verified for my age ? Seriously EU ?
I wouldn't be too sure. Data protection mainly binds private actors. Any data processing demanded by law is legal. You'd really have to know the finer points of the law to judge if this is ok.
The GDPR also applies to public institutions as far as I'm aware - but most importantly the concern here is Google and data collected by Google. This data collection is in no way necessary to provide the age verification service. Most of it is not even related to it. The state legally cannot force you to agree to some corporations (i.e. Google's) terms, even if we completely ignore the GDPR.
Data processing mandated by law is legal. Governments can pass laws, unlike private actors. Public institutions are bound by GDPR, but can also rely on provisions that give them greater leeway.
I don't see how that this is in any way necessary, either. But a judge may be convinced by the claim that this is industry standard best practice to keep the app safe. In any case, there may be some finer points to the law.
I'm not too sure about that, either. For example, when you are out of work, the state will cause you trouble if you do not find offered jobs acceptable.
It's another question, if not having access to age-gated content is so bad as to force you to do anything. Minors nominally have the same rights as full citizens, and they are to be denied access, too.
Yes and the PC app you connect the Android app to also works on Linux. It's even on flathub. Pretty nice, can't complain.
That Flathub app is unofficial afaik, which is why I don't use it. Normally I wouldn't care, but this seems important enough to not use a repackaged version
EID and equivalents are great for a lot of things, but do you want your porn site to know who you are? The new app is supposed to verify your age but not give out your PII. Not sure eID can do that?
EID can be used for anonymous age verification. It doesn't even need to give out your birthday and can attest to any "over the age of X" requirement.
Ref: https://www.bfdi.bund.de/DE/Buerger/Inhalte/Telematik-Statistik-Verkehr-Bildung/Meldewesen-Statistik/Der_Personalausweis.html
Ah, better than what we have in Estonia then
"Government issued app can be used for anonymous age verification."
Doesn't sound like the most trustworthy statement...