Spain’s ‘Pajaporte’: A Controversial New Measure to Regulate Online Pornography

In an effort to crack down on minors accessing online pornography, Spain has introduced a new controversial measure called the ‘Pajaporte.’ This new regulation requires residents of Spain to use a government-issued phone application with a digital ID code and limited credits to access adult content online.

The move comes as a response to alarming statistics from the anti-pornography group Dale Una Vuelta, which revealed that almost half of young people under the age of 15 in Spain consume online pornography. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the data as devastating, highlighting the urgent need for stricter regulations.

The \’Pajaporte,\’ also known as Cartera Digital Beta, is expected to become available by the end of the summer and will function as a mobile phone wallet. Users must verify that they are 18 or older using government-issued ID and will receive 30 credits valid for a month to access adult websites.

The application will generate a QR code that needs to be scanned for each access, allowing for limited uses to protect user privacy. While the rules initially apply to Spain-based porn providers, the government plans to enforce the verification requirement on foreign providers as well.

The implementation of the ‘Pajaporte’ is part of a broader initiative to protect minors on the internet. The Spanish government aims to address the negative impact of early exposure to pornography, including distorted perceptions of sexual relations, psychological problems, and risks of addiction.

The introduction of age verification mechanisms like the ‘Pajaporte’ marks a significant step towards safeguarding young people from harmful online content and promoting a healthier digital environment for all users.