Azerbaijan to apply age verification on social media via bank cards, email

Age verification on social networks will be carried out based on cross-checking of bank card (through temporary blocking of funds), email, and mobile number data, said Havva Huseynli, sector head of the National Cybersecurity Agency of Azerbaijan, Report informs.

Speaking at the public discussion of the draft amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses, the laws "On information, informatization and protection of information" and "On protection of children from harmful information," organized by the Media Development Agency, Huseynli noted that some obligations in this matter also fall on providers:

"The application of manipulative designs such as 'infinite scroll' and automatic video playback that create addiction for teenage users is prohibited. Parents must also be provided with technical capabilities (an active control panel) to manage the time children spend on the platform and the range of content shown to them."

Huseynli stated that personal data should only be used for age verification and must be immediately deleted if compliance is not confirmed:

"The use of this data for commercial (advertising) purposes and its transfer to third parties is prohibited. Providers must delete harmful content within a maximum of 24 hours after detection and ensure this process with digital solutions on a 24/7 basis."