As someone who hops across countries via VPN to mirror consumer behavior and test websites from every digital lens, yeah, that’s me, I’m used to the little annoyances. But lately, Europe has cranked up a whole new level of friction online: mandatory age verification models that are already crashing workflows, even for benign use cases. Here’s the scoop, and a big warning sign flashing toward the U.S.
Travel crosses borders. Thus Travel sites content based and e-commerce based are ubiquitous. How many of us go to international sites for access to the "real" content"?
Countries Already Rolling Out Age-Verification Rules
Europe isn’t waiting around:
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France: Since Oct 11, 2024, ARCOM requires adult-content sites to support “double anonymity” age-check systems. You must get at least two methods available (selfie/ID scan or age estimation), and verification providers can’t link you to the platform. Deadline: 3 months after the standard’s publication.
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EU‑wide (DSA): The Digital Services Act (effective now) requires platforms to take “appropriate and proportionate” steps to keep minors out, and self‑declaration won’t cut it.
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Pilot age‑verification app: As of July 2025, five EU nations—France, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Denmark, are testing this privacy‑preserving prototype linked to the future Digital Identity Wallet.
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United Kingdom: Under the Online Safety Act 2023, effective July 25, 2025, all porn sites, and even broader platforms (Reddit, Spotify, messaging apps), must do age checks via credit‑card, ID, facial scan, or third‑party services like Yoti.
So France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Denmark, and the UK are already on board with these age‑verification regimes.
The Full Story: A VPN User’s Grind Meets Regulators
Let me tell you in ( my own tone, if you read the Professor on a regular basis you know):
I routinely spin up VPN sessions—pretend I’m in Paris, Madrid, Rome, Copenhagen—just to mimic how local users shop, click, experience. (and yes - I travel a lot so I get to tune how I can behave when doing real world testing). But now? Every online slipstream hits a brick wall: “Verify your age.” And it’s not a quick “click yes, I’m over 18” like the good old days.
Instead, there’s:
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ID uploads, or selfie + liveness checks (privacy dumpster).
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Reusable tokens from providers like Yoti or Veriff, which do offer some comfort with anonymity - but hey, it’s still extra steps.
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In France, the compulsory “double anonymity” means the verification app can’t know the site, and the site can’t see your personal data. Sounds neat, except it’s new, broken on many platforms, and slows us to a crawl.
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The EU’s blueprint and pilot app are promising, but frankly still half‑baked and variable across regions.
And get this: adult sites are literally shutting themselves off in France, not ready for the avalanche of compliance. many porn sites (remember they drive a lot of web traffic), pulled out, at least temporarily.
Let me put it plainly: I hate this friction. I hate having to pause my online testing, launch another browser, drag out my passport, or wait for that reusable token just to see a site. I really hate spedning time in Europe when I am working because of this. Every extra click is a micro‑interruption in my workflow. And open‑web searches? Forget it - I’m spending more time testing age gates than testing actual UX.
Heads-Up: It’s Coming to the U.S.
Don’t relax just because you’re stateside. The noise there is ramping up:
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Multiple U.S. states are passing age‑verification laws for adult‑content sites. The Supreme Court just upheld provisions in Mississippi and Texas requiring check points.
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The Kids Online Safety Act is pending, and if passed, could demand age verification across social platforms.
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Global pressures and EU influence mean U.S. platforms may soon default to these checks, even if local laws don’t explicitly mandate them.
So brace yourself: The same digital friction I’m cursing in Europe is being drafted for UA consumers. VPNs may become less of a seamless testing tool, and more of a mask we cant keep on.
Final Word from Your Friendly Fellow Tester
This isn’t just a regulatory snag, it’s a performance tax on curiosity. If you’re someone who tests sites globally via VPN, you’re in for extra steps, new plugins, passport scans, or half-working applets.
For now, your best bet:
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Expect the pop-up: Get ready for “Verify your age” everywhere.
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Look for double-anonymity providers like Yoti or Veriff—less painful, but still a drag.
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Track the pilots: France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Denmark, they’re your testing ground for future USA standards.
Just know this: I hate the friction. I hate the time drain. But hey, sharing the pain means we can all prepare for the wave.
#AgeVerification #DigitalIdentity #OnlineSafety #EURegulation #TrustAndSafety #FrictionOnTheWeb #TechPolicy #FutureOfTheWeb
Source List
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France – ARCOM’s new age verification standard
International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)
https://iapp.org/news/a/france-s-new-age-verification-standard-tightening-controls-on-access-to-explicit-image-sites
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EU-wide framework & Digital Services Act
Trilligent: “The Age Verification Challenge”
https://trilligent.com/the-age-verification-challenge-how-europe-is-building-the-technical-infrastructure-for-digital-age-checks
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EU pilot project – 5 countries (France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Denmark)
Eunews.it
https://www.eunews.it/en/2025/07/14/the-eu-launches-an-online-age-verification-app-pilot-project-in-five-member-states-including-italy
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UK – Online Safety Act 2023
Wired: “The Age-Checked Internet Has Arrived”
https://www.wired.com/story/the-age-checked-internet-has-arrived
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Porn sites withdraw from France due to ARCOM enforcement
The Sun
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/35269234/pornhub-ban-europe-major-sites
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Digital Services Act – minors’ protection
Inside Privacy
https://www.insideprivacy.com/digital-services-act/european-commission-makes-new-announcements-on-the-protection-of-minors-under-the-digital-services-act
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U.S. – Supreme Court on state-level age verification laws (Mississippi, Texas)
Associated Press (AP News)
https://apnews.com/article/1cf99c96ab6b461cf7612d312e111e79
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U.S. – Kids Online Safety Act (pending)
Wall Street Journal
https://www.wsj.com/tech/personal-tech/age-verification-social-media-app-store-54dfb268
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Global impact of EU law
Netsweeper
https://www.netsweeper.com/government/global-impact-of-eu-age-verification-law-july-25-2025
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Broader implications for porn and internet regulation
Wired
https://www.wired.com/story/the-internet-revolutionized-porn-age-verification-could-upend-everything
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