People in Ireland who use pornography websites could be required to use a digital Government ID to prove they are over 18. <\/p>\n
The Department of Communications<\/a> confirmed the new digital wallet<\/a>, which the Government will shortly trial with some members of the public, will be used to \u201csupport compliance\u201d with Ireland\u2019s Online Safety Code \u2013 including a requirement that websites restrict pornography access to those aged under 18. <\/p>\n It comes after Cuan, the State agency tasked with tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence, suggested the Department of Justice<\/a> consider introducing new age limits for pornography websites, similar to a law enacted in the UK last year. <\/p>\n From July 2025, pornography websites were required to impose robust age-verification methods for users based in the UK under a new law. The following October, pornography website Pornhub claimed that traffic from UK visitors to its site had dropped 77 per cent \u2013 though the number of UK residents who may have been using a virtual private network to evade the new age limits was not known. <\/p>\n In a statement, the Department of Communications told The Irish Times the Online Safety Code \u2013 EU-wide rules on online safety, enforced in Ireland by Coimisi\u00fan na Me\u00e1n<\/a> \u2013 \u201calready requires that designated video sharing platforms ensure that minors (ie those under the age of 18) do not have access to adult-only material such as pornography. They are also required to use robust age assurance measures to comply with that obligation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAn age verification tool is being developed to assist and support compliance with that requirement.\u201d <\/p>\n The new digital wallet, which will be linked to a person\u2019s social welfare information, was built by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and is currently in beta testing. The public have been invited to share their views or concerns about the new digital ID. <\/p>\n The wallet will include a digital version of a person\u2019s birth certificate, driving licence and other official documents. Its use will not be compulsory for any State service. The main purpose of its design is to make it easier for people to apply for and access State services, but Ministers, including Minister for Communications Patrick O\u2019Donovan, have suggested the wallet should also be used to set new age limits for social media.<\/p>\n