European Union: European Board for Digital Services adopted coordinated action on age verification to protect minors from unlawful access to pornographic platforms

On 27 May 2025, the European Board for Digital Services adopted a coordinated action to strengthen the protection of minors against unlawful access to pornographic content on online platforms. The action aligns with the European Commission’s concerns regarding violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and supports the Commission’s in-depth investigation into designated Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs), while emphasising the need for consistent enforcement across non-VLOP platforms under national jurisdiction. The Board’s Working Group 6 (Protection of Minors) will facilitate coordination among Digital Services Coordinators (DSCs) and national competent authorities to exchange enforcement approaches, assess age verification measures, and apply the forthcoming Article 28 DSA guidelines. Where breaches are identified, DSCs may take investigative and enforcement actions, including sanctions, to ensure compliance with minor protection obligations under Union and national legislation.