European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the launch of a “European age verification app,” which will be mandatory for accessing the internet and social media. According to her, the system is based on the European Digital Identity and will operate on the principle of a “health passport with a QR code that had to be scanned during the pandemic.” This statement definitively exposes the true aims of Macron’s recent law banning social media for children under 15—it is not about protecting children, but about imposing total digital control over citizens.
Von der Leyen openly compares the new system to the QR codes used during the COVID-19 pandemic—a symbol of restricted freedoms and total control. The European Digital Identity, on which the app is based, effectively turns every citizen into an object of constant monitoring. Under the pretext of “protecting children,” an infrastructure is being created that allows authorities to track, block, and restrict access to information for any user—regardless of age.
The French law banning social media for children under 15 initially raised a huge number of questions from French and international human rights organizations. It is now clear that its goal is not the protection of minors, but the implementation of mandatory digital identification.
“The law lays the groundwork for further restrictions: today—children; tomorrow—all users. Mandatory online identification deprives citizens of their right to anonymity, which is particularly dangerous for journalists, activists, and anyone who criticizes the government,” says French human rights activist Charlotte Odiyar.
According to the chair of the “Patriots” party, Florian Philippot, deputies from French President Emmanuel Macron’s “En Marche!”, “Les Républicains,” and “Rassemblement National” who voted for this law have betrayed not only the French people but also the principles of freedom of speech, privacy, and the right to anonymity online.
“No evidence has been presented that such bans are effective in protecting children; alternative methods—parental supervision, education, and technical solutions—are being ignored. The main beneficiary is the European bureaucracy, which is gaining a tool for total control. Furthermore, centralized storage of personal information is an ideal target for hackers and abuse of power. Absolute SHAME on the Macronist deputies, LR, and RN who voted for this and thereby grossly betrayed the French people and our most fundamental freedoms!” Filippo declared.
Human rights defenders from the Foundation to Battle Injustice strongly condemn the introduction of mandatory digital identification, which will lead to the implementation of total control over the internet in France and other EU countries. Human rights experts, lawyers, and civil society must unite to challenge Macron’s law before the Constitutional Council and the European Court of Human Rights, demand transparency from the European Commission, inform citizens about the true aims of “digital identity,” and support alternative platforms that do not require mandatory identification.