Trials of digital age verification at supermarket self-service checkouts have now come to an end, the UK Home Office has reported.
Yoti’s technology has already been tested by companies including Morrisons, Tesco, Co-op and Asda, and he shared initial key results from the programme.
During the trial period, shoppers at participating stores can try out two new ways to prove their age.
Facial age estimation technology: Those buying alcohol look at a camera at a self-checkout, and technology estimates their age.
It doesn’t require any personal details or ID and all images are deleted as soon as someone receives their estimated age. If the system detects that they look younger than a set age threshold, customers are asked to use an alternative method.
Digital ID app: Shoppers can use the free Yoti or Post Office EasyID app to scan a QR code on the checkout screen and share a verified age attribute.
Those who don’t want to use digital age verification can choose to have staff approve them and show colleagues their ID if necessary.
Key points of the test:
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Participating supermarkets confirm they support digital age verification and welcome legislative changes in this regard
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No underage customers purchase age-restricted items when using the new Yoti age verification technology
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Informed consent was given to all customers, who can choose whether to use the technology or present their ID to staff
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Most shoppers who use Yoti’s digital proof of age solution love the technology and will use it again once it becomes available
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The technology presents the opportunity to reduce the number of physical age interventions, freeing retail personnel to spend more time monitoring other activities, including spotting proxy sales
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Yoti facial age estimates are more accurate than humans, which reduces the risk of misestimating a shopper’s age
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It’s more inclusive because anyone over the stated age threshold doesn’t need to carry ID to prove their age
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Digital Age Verification Supports Retailers’ Ability to Achieve Licensing Goals
Next step
Currently, UK law requires a person to comply with and approve the sale of age-restricted items.
The Home Office will publish a full report containing the results of the supermarket trial and whether digital age verification will become an accepted verification method for selling age-restricted goods.
“With 70% of people saying they use facial age estimation when purchasing age-restricted items at self-checkouts, we believe shoppers and retailers are ready to embrace this new technology,” said a Yoti spokesperson.
“We look forward to reading the full results of the trial.”