Age verification is to verify the age of the user by providing a date of birth or checking a box to indicate that you are age-appropriate to use the services or products offered by the company. It is required by many industries such as gaming sites, mobile banking, social networking, e-commerce, etc.
1. Understanding Legal Compliance
Many countries have laws and regulations governing the access and distribution of products and services, often necessitating age restrictions to ensure compliance. For instance, the UK’s Online Safety Bill was introduced to protect children from harmful content. In the US, protecting children from online misuse is a significant concern, addressed through laws such as the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Additionally, the Tobacco 21 legislation prohibits the sale of tobacco products to those under 21, and the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 sets the minimum legal drinking age at 21.
2. Document Check
One of the most reliable methods for age verification is the online ID card. Advanced Optical Character Recognition (OCR) engines can scan an ID copy and display the holder’s age if required. The tool analyzes the document to determine the person’s age based on their date of birth. During the KYC onboarding process, a scanned copy of the user’s ID card and a photo of the ID are submitted. The solution extracts data such as passport number, date of birth, and name, and validates the document using security features like barcodes and Machine Readable Zones (MRZ).
3. Biometric Verification
Biometric verification adds an extra layer of security by confirming that the document belongs to the person presenting it. Users are typically asked to take a selfie, which is then compared with the photo on the ID. To ensure the person is genuinely present and not using a realistic mask, a liveness check is performed. Combining biometric data with identity documents offers a highly reliable method to verify a person’s identity and confirm their age.
4. Face Matching
Face matching is a crucial step in the verification process, ensuring that the person matches the photo on their ID. Without this system, a child could easily misuse a parent’s ID. Document verification is often performed by individuals such as nightclub bouncers, bartenders, or store clerks, who must confirm that the ID matches the person in front of them. Automated systems or trained experts known as super-recognizers can perform face matching. Given the challenge of matching recent selfies with older documents, super-recognizers require thorough inspection and ongoing training. Companies must conduct regular quality assurance and internal audits to ensure accuracy.
5. Risk Assessment
For an online blogging community where certain content is age-restricted, risk assessment acts as a protective measure. It’s essential to evaluate potential risks, such as young writers accessing inappropriate content or encountering legal issues for not adhering to age guidelines. Proper registration processes should ensure honesty about age, safeguard personal information, and prevent technical glitches or misunderstandings. A responsible approach ensures the platform remains engaging and secure, much like a vigilant guard ensures safety.
What is Age Verification Used for?
Age verification is an essential component in various sectors, especially those dealing with age-sensitive products and services. In industries like banking and highly regulated fields, age verification is part of a broader identity verification process. For other sectors, such as e-commerce, where no specific identity verification standards exist, age verification ensures that customers are adults, even if their full identity is not verified.
Additionally, age verification can serve as an extra security measure. For instance, an online casino might use age verification to confirm that the person logging into an account matches the account holder. This prevents unauthorized access by children who may have access to their parents’ device or credentials. In some cases, businesses may need to estimate customer age without demanding ID verification. For example, supermarkets might use smart cameras and facial recognition technology to gather statistical data on their customer base. This approach helps them understand their target demographic, although the legality of such practices varies by country.
Choose a Trusted Age Verification Provider with Our Guide
Age verification utilizes advanced digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, biometrics, facial recognition, and gesture recognition. To ensure the authenticity of user-submitted documents, it is essential to extract information accurately and verify that documents are genuine and not fraudulent. Comparing this information with various relevant databases enhances the reliability of the verification process.
Our guide offers research-based insights and analysis to help you select the right age verification solution. We provide detailed evaluations of different technologies and vendors to assist you in choosing a trustworthy provider that meets your requirements.
Shreyashi is a software engineer in the US. Along with her work schedule, she has managed to travel all the 50 States of the country and wants to pen down her experiences, journeys, and joys through her write-ups and share them with the world. You can find more details on https://www.travelthefoodforthesoul.com/about-me/
