X Implements Controversial Age Verification Measures to Comply with Irish Law

Social media platform X has introduced new age verification measures in response to Ireland's Online Safety Code, though critics argue the approach falls short of legal requirements. The law, which took effect this week, mandates video-sharing platforms implement age-checking systems or face penalties up to $23 million or 10% of annual turnover.

The platform's response comes after Irish regulators reported seeing no evidence of compliance earlier this week. X's newly announced multi-step verification system represents its first attempt to align with the stringent digital compliance requirements affecting major platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

How X Plans to Verify User Ages

Unlike Meta's third-party verification approach, X outlined several methods to determine user age:

• Self-reported age declarations
• Legacy verification status
• Account creation dates (pre-2012)
• Grey and gold badge verification
• Email-based estimation
• Social connection analysis

The platform also announced plans to implement facial age estimation and government ID verification in "coming weeks," though these features are not yet active despite the law's current enforcement. This approach to protecting sensitive personal identification information raises important privacy considerations.

Regulatory Challenges and Implementation Concerns

Industry experts highlight several potential weaknesses in X's approach. The reliance on legacy verification and account creation dates presents clear vulnerabilities, as accounts can change hands over time. Additionally, the platform's purchasable gold checkmarks raise questions about verification reliability.

"X's current proposal appears to prioritize minimal disruption to its user base over robust age verification," says Andrew Hutchinson, social media industry analyst. "This approach may not satisfy Irish regulators' expectations for protecting younger users."

Impact for Users and Business

This development has significant implications for both users and businesses:

1. Users may soon face more stringent identity verification requirements
2. Businesses utilizing X for marketing must prepare for potential audience verification changes
3. Platform engagement could shift if strict age gates are implemented

The outcome of this regulatory challenge could set precedents for social media age verification globally, affecting how platforms balance user privacy with safety requirements. As regulations evolve, companies must ensure they maintain comprehensive GDPR compliance through proper technology implementation.

For more information about social media age verification requirements, visit the Irish Media Commission's official guidelines.