AgeAI app gains UK approval for automated age verification

AgeAI App Gains UK Approval for Automated Age Verification

A cutting-edge artificial intelligence application, AgeAI, has received official endorsement from Peterborough & Cambridgeshire Trading Standards, securing its use by retailers throughout the United Kingdom. Developed by technology firm Privately, AgeAI is designed to streamline and enhance age-verification processes for age-restricted products in retail environments.

AgeAI distinguishes itself with an exceptional capability to accurately identify individuals aged between 18 and 20 as being under the age of 25, boasting 100% accuracy in these instances. This functionality is particularly significant for stores aiming to comply with legal requirements regarding the sale of age-sensitive products such as alcohol, tobacco, and fireworks. By providing precise age assessments, AgeAI aids stores in avoiding hefty fines and other legal repercussions associated with selling such items to minors.

The app addresses a prevalent challenge in the retail sector: the potential for confrontation that can arise during manual ID checks. Through its automated age estimation feature, AgeAI not only supports sales staff by reducing these confrontations but also helps maintain a smooth customer experience at checkout, preventing bottlenecks and ensuring a swift transaction process.

Deepak Tewari, CEO of Privately, expressed his satisfaction with the approval from the local Trading Standards, highlighting the app’s utility for retailers. “No responsible store owner wants to sell alcohol, vapes, cigarettes, fireworks or indeed any age-inappropriate products to a minor – the fines are significant and persistent offenders can even be closed down,” Tewari stated. He added that the validation from Peterborough & Cambridgeshire Trading Standards affirms AgeAI as a valuable resource for UK retailers, enabling them to demonstrate active compliance within their operations.

AgeAI’s functionality has been rigorously evaluated, achieving EAL3 certification, which testifies to its robustness and reliability. Further establishing its credibility, the app complies with GDPR (UK) standards and is already operational in nearly 50 stores across the UK, having demonstrated success in both Europe and the United States.

By successfully conducting nearly one million age verification transactions in retail settings over the past year, Privately has showcased the app’s practical effectiveness in ensuring minors receive age-appropriate experiences. Mark Oliver, the Business Hub Manager for Peterborough & Cambridgeshire Trading Standards, emphasised the significance of such innovations. “Providing minors with age-appropriate user experiences is a major priority in 2024 and beyond,” Oliver noted, affirming the relevance of AgeAI in navigating the increasingly regulated retail landscape.

AgeAI represents a vital technological advancement, reflecting the growing need for seamless and accurate age verification solutions across sectors dealing with age-restricted goods. Its integration into retail environments is poised to enhance compliance and operational efficiency, offering a new standard in safeguarding against the sale of age-inappropriate products to minors.

Source: Noah Wire Services