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From traditional point-of-sale systems to modern self-checkout kiosks, integrating the right age verification tools can differentiate between a sale and a lost customer and, more importantly, compliance with laws and regulations. This is a conversation which is being seen both in person and online.Â
The internet led to some pioneering solutions, relying on AI, and in-built cameras in modern devices and as a result, the offline space could learn from these innovations.Â
At Innovative Technology, we’ve done precisely this. Taken the digital innovation and made a safe and secure product that can be used offline to manage specific offline use cases.
Online
Alcohol
Vapes / Tobacco
Knives
Lottery & Scratch Cards
Social Media
Dating Sites
Gambling Sites
Pharmaceuticals
Offline
Alcohol
Vapes /Tobacco
Knives
Lotteries & Scratch Cards
High Street Bookmakers
Pharmaceuticals
Age verification before purchasing an age-restricted goods is not only a legal requirement but a moral obligation. The laws are in place to help preserve the health and safety of minors and to reduce the risk of them becoming vulnerable to harm. Acting as a further deterrent to businesses’ noncompliance is a financial and legal fallout. We’ve built our company around harnessing the latest technology, making it secure and available to sectors that previously may have relied on manual ID checks – one of the highest causes of retail disruption.
Today, we pose the questions of the differences between online and offline age estimation & verification, what the differences are and what led us to build our offline, retail-focused solutions.
Age estimation, essential in various industries for compliance, personalisation, and user safety, differs significantly based on whether it occurs online or offline. Below, we explore what online and offline age estimation entails, the specific tactics used in each setting, and the technology that drives them.
This refers to estimating or verifying a user’s age in a digital environment—typically on websites, apps, or online platforms. It’s crucial for platforms with age-restricted content, such as social media, gaming, and e-commerce, to ensure they comply with legal requirements like COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) or GDPR-K (General Data Protection Regulation for Kids) in the EU.
Offline age estimation happens in physical spaces, such as retail stores, casinos, or restricted event venues. Here, age estimation ensures compliance with laws around age-restricted products and services, like alcohol or gambling. This estimation can also assist in personalised customer service, such as tailoring interactions based on perceived age groups.
Many platforms rely on users’ self-reported age or require document uploads (e.g., ID cards, passports) to verify. Verification documents are checked using AI algorithms to validate their authenticity, though the process can vary in accuracy depending on the platform’s security sophistication.
Some advanced systems use biometrics, such as facial recognition, to estimate age. Using AI, algorithms analyse facial features and skin texture to predict age. This method is generally more secure but raises concerns about privacy and data protection.
Platforms also use behavioural patterns to infer a user’s likely age. For example, gaming websites can identify patterns that may correlate with age groups based on time of play, spending habits, and game selection. While less precise, behavioural analytics is valuable for monitoring potentially underage activity.
Online purchases, especially for age-restricted items, often require credit card information. This serves as a form of age verification since credit card ownership generally requires the user to be over a certain age.
In physical settings, ID verification is the most straightforward and widely used method. Trained personnel inspect documents like driving licences or passports to confirm a person’s age. While simple, it is prone to human error, especially when dealing with forged IDs. It is also, as previously mentioned, a potential flash point when shop staff end up dealing with aggrieved people.Â
In some regions, self-service kiosks with facial recognition technology help confirm users’ ages. Similar to online biometrics, these kiosks analyse facial features to approximate age. They are fast and convenient, but may face acceptance issues due to privacy concerns.
POS systems are programmed to prompt cashiers to check IDs for specific products, ensuring that age-restricted sales are managed efficiently. Standalone hardware solutions with an inbuilt camera and screen are also an option to automate age checks at the point of sale. These act as an aid for the server to help make informed decisions during the age check process and can reduce confrontation when asking for ID and even act as a deterrent…
Some stores employ AI-equipped surveillance cameras to monitor age-related compliance. For instance, they may alert staff if they detect someone who appears underage purchasing alcohol. This is an emerging tactic that uses machine learning to estimate age in real-time based on facial and body features.
Offline and online age estimation relies on data-driven algorithms and machine learning models. These models are trained on large datasets to recognise age-related patterns, such as facial structure in biometric analysis or typical online behaviour by age group. Providers must prioritise user privacy, data security, and compliance with data protection laws.Â
Both options are essential in today’s world, each offering unique tactics and methods that adapt to their environments. As technology advances, blending both approaches might become common, creating more seamless, secure, and accurate age verification systems.
At Innovative Technology, we’ve developed an AI-driven facial analysis technology that works entirely offline but the algorithms can also be applicable for online use. Not only does our offering make the age verification process faster, it also ensures the highest level of accuracy and our non-passive approach does not need any specific customer interactions. As a result, retailers can offer a secure, completely offline solution whilst speeding up customer throughput. Â
Interested in knowing how this could work in your retail environment? Please get in touch with our team.