eIDAS 2.0 and EU Digital Identity Wallet: age verification and compliance with new European obligations

Why is Europe changing the rules of the game

The European Union is accelerating digital transformation by imposing a unified online age identification and verification framework.
Three major pillars come into force:

1. eIDAS 2.0 : modernising the European digital identity framework
2. EU Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet) : an application to prove your identity in one click
3. Digital Services Act (DSA) : increased responsibility of platforms on minors

The objective is twofold:
✔ secure online transactions
✔ protect citizens, especially minors, from digital risks

eIDAS 2.0: a much stricter legal framework than the first version

The first version of eIDAS guaranteed electronic identification recognized between EU countries.
But she was poorly adopted by the private sector, for lack of fluid solutions for users.

The version eIDAS 2.0 brings three essential changes:

• Extension to all major digital services (banks, telecoms, platforms, administrations)
• Reinforced security with cryptographic authentication
• Obligation to propose a digital identity wallet in accordance with European standards

This frame becomes a Mandatory reference for digital onboarding in Europe.

The EU Digital Identity Wallet: the universal digital identity

Every European citizen will have a secure application to store:

• identity card
• Driver's license
• professional documents
• biometric information
• proof of age or “+18” status

This wallet makes it possible to prove information in a sovereign way, without disclosing useless data.
For example:

Prove that the user is of legal age, without displaying date of birth or full identity.

This principle is called selective attribute verification : a major challenge for privacy.

DSA and the protection of minors: age verification becomes mandatory

With the Digital Services Act, social platforms, video games, streaming services, streaming services, marketplaces and sites with adult content must:

• prevent minors from accessing sensitive content
• prove the effectiveness of age control
• comply with the RGPD by avoiding over-collection of data
• apply a principle”Privacy by design”

Fines can reach up to 6% of global turnover.

The European blueprint of July 2025: a harmonized age verification model

In 2025, the European Commission presented a Age Verification Blueprint, a technical model for:

• secure age verification
• minimize data exposure
• Ensuring interoperability in Europe

Recommended solutions include:

✔ EUDI Wallet with cryptographic proof of age
✔ Controlled biometrics (with anti-spooping)
✔ Automated document verification via AI
✔ Hybrid systems adapted to the level of risk

It is now The reference for platform compliance.

Impacts for businesses: what is changing concretely

- Obligations

Video on demand, streaming, social networks
Minimal CRUD + limited evidence retention
Games, lootboxes, regulated products
Technical log and cryptographic proof

- Examples of services concerned

Effectively check the real age
Protecting the privacy of minors
Strengthened content controls
Auditability in case of control

Businesses should adapt their onboarding processes right now.

How Dataleon is supporting this European transition

Dataleon offers a technology suite that meets future eIDAS 2.0 + DSA requirements:

• Automatic analysis of identity documents,
• Advanced biometric verification and proof of presence,
• Cryptographic validation of attributes with Privacy protection,
• AI anti-fraud detection,
• Seamless integration into courses: API & portal.

We help businesses:
✔ secure their services
✔ increase conversion
✔ reduce legal and reputational risks

Conclusion

Europe is imposing a new era of digital trust :
→ secure identity,
→ strict protection of minors,
→ sovereignty of personal data.

Thanks to eIDAS 2.0, EUDI Wallet and DSA, identity and age verification will soon become universal, fast and privacy-friendly.

Businesses that anticipate these changes will benefit from a major competitive advantage.