Industries have never been safe from criminal breaches. May it be tobacco, finance, e-commerce, or other age-oriented sectors. This is why minors are making headlines now and then. They are using advanced solutions and methods to dodge the age verification systems. Minors use fake credentials and elders’ documents to commit identity fraud. This way, the onboard adult platforms, purchase age-restricted products and avail AO services. Therefore, industries need robust and authentic age verification solutions to prevent minors’ exposure to harmful instances.
Traditional age verification methods are no more reliable as they are prone to various errors and are incompetent with the advanced dodging methods. Minors easily bypass the “Tick if 18+” checkboxes. Therefore, regulatory authorities are imposing stringent laws to prevent minors’ exploitation and keep them safe. Industries adopting digital identity and age validation solutions have increased the chances of ensuring KYCC compliance. This way industries can not only protect minors but also minimize the chances of facing hefty penalties. The industrial use cases and methods they use for age authentication are discussed next in the blog.
Online Age Verification – Most Commonly Used Methods are No More Reliable
Shufti Pro Funding indicates that online age verification solutions are increasingly making their way to industry systems. This is mainly because minors’ access to the AO platform has become easier after digitization. Along with this, industries lacking robust services are less likely to restrict minors. This will bring various consequences including under-aged customers getting exposed to criminals, reputational damages, and non-compliance. Therefore, industries need to verify the age of customers before they onboard them. For this, the most commonly used methods include:
Checkboxes and Self Disclosure
This is the most common and simple method of age validation. During this type of verification, customers are simply asked to check a box that appears in a pop-up window. This is not tough enough for minors to bypass. Therefore, this method is now outdated because of its inaccuracy and less authenticity.
Validation of Date of Birth
This is yet another simple but widely-used method. It requires customers to fill in their date of birth in a form. This is also not difficult as minors simply add in fake credentials and for supporting evidence, upload their elders’ documents.
Therefore, industries need more cautious measures when it comes to ensuring KYCC and putting gates in minors’ way. Otherwise, minors, as well as industries like online gambling, dating platforms, e-gaming, cryptocurrency, tobacco, social media, and alcohol, will have to face several types of hazards.
Prominent Industries that Require Digital and Authentic Age Checks
Industries ranging from tobacco to commerce, all have gone digital. This is why getting the age verified has become somewhat tricky. Previously, customers were identified right after they stepped into the store, which is not the case anymore. However, AI and ML-powered technologies have the industries covered. They provide seamless and accurate verification services. Industries adopting improved age validation solutions are as under:
Online gambling and Other E-gaming Platforms
Keeping in view the minors’ easy access to all types of e-gaming platforms, countries across Europe revamped the regulations. This time they came up with more strict laws for both the industries as well as the minors. These regulations oblige gaming platforms to validate the age of their current and previously registered players. Moreover, they need to employ authentic age checks during registration to make sure no minor is accessing the website.
Tobacco and Liquor Online Stores
Along with gaming and gambling platforms, tobacco and liquor e-store also fall under the jurisdiction of age-based laws. For instance, authorities in the UK, US, and the majority of other countries have set a legal age for both alcohol consumption and tobacco purchase. The age limit is 18+ for all the customers buying online or from physical stores.
Dating Website and Social Media Apps
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of social media dramatically increased. This alongside brought various consequences including minors’ manipulation. As per BackLinko, there are over 4.48 billion social media users worldwide including minors. Therefore, social media apps need robust and authentic online age verification to ensure minors are not engaging in AO activities. Moreover, in case of failure, it can lead to criminal-based exposure of minors.
Similar is the case with dating sites. The ones using easy-to-solve puzzles and checkboxes are on the verge of facing hefty penalties. According to Shufti Pro News, they will not restrict minors by exposing them to various manipulations. Therefore, dating platforms need to incorporate strict age verification online processes at the registration stage.
In a Nutshell
Minors are a valuable asset for every community and so is their safety curial. However, their illegitimate access to the AO platform can bring consequences otherwise. Therefore, platforms need to improve their age verification processes. Moreover, as per the authorities, this and KYCC are regulatory obligations. Hence, all that online industries need is a robust age verification solution.