The EU’s age-verification framework is part of a broader push toward digital identity infrastructure, including future integration with digital ID wallets. According to Ursula von der Leyen, the system allows users to prove they are over 18 without revealing personal data, positioning it as a privacy-first solution.

However, critics like Pavel Durov argue that even well-intentioned systems can expand over time. If vulnerabilities persist or enforcement tightens, what begins as age verification could gradually extend into wider identity requirements across online services. The debate highlights a growing tension between protecting users online and preserving digital privacy.