The Communications Authority's resolution requiring age verification to access sites prohibited to minors based in Italy goes into full effect today. Operators of pornographic image and video sites and platforms based abroad have three months to comply , until February 1, 2026. AGCOM reminds that age verification must be performed according to the "double anonymity" criterion : a third party certifies the age of majority without transferring personal data such as identity cards or photos to the platform, providing only confirmation of age.
The resolution regarding age verification, as required by the Caivano Decree, enters into full force today, AGCOM explains in a statement. Pursuant to the resolution, the Authority published the list of obligated entities on October 31, which is periodically updated and has also been communicated to the European Commission.
Regarding the implementation timeline for the verification system, taking into account the European Commission's findings and the experience of other countries, the resolution establishes that: website operators and video-sharing platforms established in Italy must equip themselves with age verification systems compliant with the indicated requirements within six months of the date of publication of the provision (November 12, 2025); website operators and video-sharing platforms that distribute pornographic images and videos in Italy, but are not established in Italy, have a three-month implementation period from the publication of the list (February 1, 2026). Inclusion on the list is based on at least one of the following criteria: a) the predominant use of the Italian language within the online service, to be assessed in relation to the presence of textual elements in Italian in the user interface, as well as the availability of a multilingual function that includes Italian; b) the online service must reach a significant average number of unique monthly users in Italy, based on data provided by organizations that are highly representative of the entire reference sector, also in light of multimedia convergence processes, and whose organization also complies with the principles of impartiality, autonomy, and independence; c) the video-sharing platform service provider must generate revenues in Italy, even if accounted for in the financial statements of companies headquartered abroad; d) the service is also promoted or marketed to Italian users; e) the service has a domain in Italy or provides a contact address and/or telephone number in Italy.
The Authority further explains that the age verification system must meet the "double anonymity" criterion, according to which age verification is performed by a third-party certifying body other than the platform being accessed. The platform, in turn, only collects proof of age from the citizen, provided by the aforementioned person. Therefore, no personal data (such as ID, photo, or other data) of the citizen must be transferred to the platform disseminating pornographic content, but only proof of age (an anonymous code). Likewise, the third-party certifying body must not be aware of the citizen's intended use of the requested "proof of age." Regarding the Authority's powers of oversight and sanction, in the event of non-compliance by website operators or video-sharing platforms , the Authority may challenge the violation, ex officio or upon notification, applying the relevant provisions and warning the non-compliant entities to comply within twenty days. If websites and platforms fail to comply, the Authority has the power to take any necessary measures to block the site or platform. This block remains in effect until the operator complies with the Authority's requirements. AGCOM applies appropriate fines, up to €250,000. Citizens and associations can report to the Authority any violations of age verification provisions by websites and platforms via certified email or the digital reporting systems made available by the Authority.
(Unioneonline)