Ireland trials digital wallet for social media age verification

Ireland is piloting a government-issued digital wallet that conducts age verification for social media users, with public rollout expected later this year, according to Engadget. The system, developed under the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, allows users to prove age attributes without revealing full identity documents, addressing privacy concerns that have stalled similar initiatives elsewhere. The trial represents a significant test of decentralized identity technology for regulatory compliance, as Ireland implements the EU's Digital Services Act requirements for platform age-gating. Social media companies have struggled with accurate age verification while avoiding data collection that would trigger GDPR obligations. The Irish approach uses verifiable credentials that disclose only necessary attributes, potentially offering a template for other EU member states. Digital rights groups remain cautious, warning that centralized identity infrastructure could enable expanded government surveillance if not properly constrained by technical and legal safeguards.