Italy Introduces New Law (Decreto-legge del 15/09/2023 n. 123) Requiring Parental Controls on All Digital Devices

Italy Enforces New Law to Protect Minors Online: What It Means for Manufacturers and Service Providers

As of 1 March 2025, Italy has enacted "Decreto-legge del 15/09/2023 n. 123", introducing stringent measures to safeguard minors in the digital realm.

This legislation mandates that manufacturers of electronic devices and providers of electronic communication services implement robust parental control features, aiming to create a safer online environment for children.

Documentazione Economica e Finanziaria - Dettaglio Atto Normativo

Torna alla home page

Key Requirements for Device Manufacturers

Under the new law, manufacturers of electronic communication devices—including smartphones, computers, tablets, and gaming consoles—are obligated to ensure that their products support parental control applications.

This entails configuring operating systems to accommodate such applications, thereby enabling parents to monitor and manage their children's online activities effectively. Importantly, these parental control features must be provided at no additional cost to the consumer.

Manufacturers are also required to inform users about the availability and significance of these applications, ensuring that parents are aware of the tools at their disposal to protect their children online.

Obligations for Service Providers

The law extends its reach to electronic communication service providers, compelling them to offer parental control applications as part of their service contracts.

This means that internet service providers must include options for parental controls within their offerings, allowing parents to filter content and set usage limits.

These applications must be readily accessible and free of charge, ensuring that financial barriers do not impede the protection of minors online.

Service providers are also tasked with educating customers about the importance of activating these parental controls, fostering a culture of awareness and proactive safeguarding among users.

Data Privacy and Oversight

A critical aspect of Decreto-legge del 15/09/2023 n. 123 is its emphasis on data privacy. The legislation explicitly prohibits the use of personal data collected during the activation of parental control applications for commercial purposes or profiling.

This provision ensures that while protecting minors, the privacy rights of all users are upheld, preventing the exploitation of sensitive information for marketing or data mining activities.

The Italian Communications Authority (AGCOM) is designated as the supervisory body responsible for enforcing compliance with the decree. AGCOM is tasked with monitoring the implementation of these measures and has the authority to impose sanctions on entities that fail to adhere to the regulations, ensuring that the protections outlined in the law are effectively upheld.