Spain introduces 'porn passport' for citizens. Here's what it is and how it works

In an attempt to restrict kids access to online porn, the Spanish government has come up with an application called the "porn passport".

The application, which is officially called the Digital Wallet Beta (Cartera Digital Beta), was launched this week and will make it possible for internet sites to check if the user is above the age of 18.

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How does the application work?

The porn viewers will have to download the application and verify their age for accessing the content. After getting verified, 30 generated “porn credits" will be given to them, which will have one month's validity.

These credits will be used for accessing the adult content. People are also free to request for extra credits.

People have criticised the tool for its complexity, however, the government has stated that the credit-based model is more privacy-friendly and will ensure the online activities of the users are not easily traceable.

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The government will make the system available by theend of summer. The system will remain a voluntary option for online platforms.

They can either go for a porn passport or choose other age-verification methods for screening out inappropriate viewers.

Speaking to El País newspaper, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said, “The data is devastating. Almost half of young people under 15 years of age consume it."

“And this is not puritanism. This affects the development of our adolescents and also the future behaviour that they may have on an issue like equality," he added.

EU's digital identity system to replace porn passport soon

A European Union law will go into force in October 2027 as per which the websites will be required to stop giving access to porn to minors.

The porn passport of Spain will most probably get replaced by the European Union's own digital identity system (eIDAS2) which is a wallet application that allows people to access a smorgasbord in the entire region.

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Speaking to Spanish newspaper El País, Spain’s digital secretary José Luis Escrivá said, “We are acting in advance and we are asking platforms to do so too, as what is at stake requires it."

“The data we see regarding minors’ access to adult content and its possible consequences are what have led us to develop this tool as quickly as possible,” said Escrivá, while speaking to The Local.

(With inputs from agencies)