Country profile

Gabon age-verification & online ID laws

In effect Social-media ordinance (Apr 2026) effective Apr 8, 2026

An ordinance published April 8, 2026 sets a digital age of majority of 16 and requires social-media platforms to verify age and obtain parental consent for under-16s.

Laws & bills on record

Social media

In effect
Bill / statute
Social-media ordinance (Apr 2026)
Status
Active law in effect
Effective
Apr 8, 2026
Intrusiveness
Severe -- Criminal penalties, VPN targeting, or repeated re-checks with long data retention.

An ordinance published April 8, 2026 sets a digital age of majority of 16 and requires social-media platforms to verify age and obtain parental consent for under-16s. Unusually, sign-up requires a person's name, address and personal identification number, going further than the age-only checks used elsewhere.

Timeline
  • Apr 8, 2026In effect

Source: en.wikipedia.org

Frequently asked questions

Does Gabon require age checks or ID to use social media?

Yes. Social-media ordinance (Apr 2026) is in effect, effective Apr 8, 2026. An ordinance published April 8, 2026 sets a digital age of majority of 16 and requires social-media platforms to verify age and obtain parental consent for under-16s.

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