Romanian Senate approves 'Digital Maturity' bill requiring ID for internet access

The Romanian Senate has approved the "Digital Maturity" bill, which mandates that Romanian citizens must provide their ID cards to access the internet. This law also stipulates that minors under the age of 16 can only create social media accounts with parental approval.

This legislation is considered stringent even by European Union standards, as it requires social media companies to verify users" identities through a photo of their ID, a measure not currently mandated by EU regulations. The law may lead to the blocking of thousands of apps and websites in Romania if developers refuse to comply with these requirements.

Critics have raised concerns about the implications of this law, including the potential for increased data collection by apps, which would need to gather personal information such as users" real names, ages, and addresses. This data could be vulnerable to theft and misuse. Additionally, the law"s provisions regarding online speech equate online posts with traditional media, meaning individuals could face criminal penalties for opinions that violate the law.

Pro-privacy groups have voiced numerous criticisms of the legislation, highlighting its potential to infringe on freedom of speech and privacy rights. The approval of this bill follows earlier discussions in 2023 regarding the requirement for citizens to log on to the internet using their ID cards.

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