Department of Justice consulting on ‘age of digital consent’

Article 8 of the GDPR provides that, in the case of information society services offered directly to a child, parental consent is required where personal information of a child under 16 is collected and shared with other service providers. Service providers are required to make reasonable efforts to verify that parental consent is given in each case.

However, member states are allowed to adopt a lower age threshold, which cannot be lower than 13.

The consultation is seeking the views of individuals and organisations, including bodies representing parents and young people, child protection bodies, privacy advocates and other interested parties, in relation to the appropriate age below which parental consent for the processing of personal data in the context of information society services is required in Ireland.

Submissions are required by Friday 2 December. More information is available from the Department of Justice’s website.