Baku: Azerbaijan has introduced new age verification rules for social media platforms as part of a draft law amendment aimed at enhancing online safety for children. Havva Huseynli, Head of the Cooperation and Communication Sector of the Electronic Security Service, revealed the details during a public discussion organized by the Media Development Agency.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the draft law proposes amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses and the Laws "On Information, Informatization and Protection of Information," and "On Protection of Children from Harmful Information." The age verification process will involve bank card verification through a temporary fund-blocking mechanism, along with cross-checking email and mobile phone number information. Platform providers will also have specific obligations, including the prohibition of manipulative design elements like "infinite scroll" and automatic video playback, which are believed to promote addiction among teenagers.

Additionally, parents will be equipped with a control panel to monitor their children's online activities, including time spent and content accessed. The draft law ensures that personal data collected for age verification will be used exclusively for this purpose and will be deleted immediately if compliance is not met. It also prohibits the use of such data for advertising, commercial purposes, or its transfer to third parties.

Platforms are mandated to remove harmful content within 24 hours of detection and must establish technical systems to operate around the clock to enforce this requirement.