Age Assurance (Verification & Estimation)
Processes that verify age via trusted documents or estimate age from signals like face or behavior for online safety compliance.
Overview
Age assurance tools help platforms meet legal requirements by verifying or estimating user ages before granting access to restricted content or services.
How it works
- Verification: Validate a government ID or authoritative record.
- Estimation: Use biometrics or behavior (e.g., face, voice, activity) to infer age.
- Decision: Apply policy thresholds (e.g., over 18) and handle appeals or manual review.
Common use cases
- Social media sign-up
- Online gaming and gambling
- Adult content gateways
Strengths and limitations
Strengths: Supports regulatory compliance; multiple methods.
Limitations: Privacy concerns; estimation accuracy varies.
Key terms
- Age verification: Checking an ID or database to confirm age.
- Age estimation: Predicting age from biometric or behavioral signals.