Instagram Is Testing Two New Age Verification Methods For Teens
Meta is testing new options for Instagram users to verify their age, beginning with those in the United States. Teens will be asked to record a selfie video or ask mutual friends to verify their age under the new options. The firm has partnered with Yoti, an online age verification company, to verify the age of teens under the age of 18 when they attempt to change their date of birth on Instagram from under the age of 18 to 18 or over.
Previously, teens under the age of 18 had to upload their ID to edit their date of birth on Instagram, but the company has now added two more options, as previously mentioned.
New age verification methods
The first option will instruct the user to take a selfie according to the on-screen instructions, and the user’s image will be shared with Yoti for age estimation based on facial features. Yoti then returns the data to Meta to complete the process. Both companies guarantee that the users’ images will be deleted after the recognition and that the technology will not recognize the users’ identities.
The second method of verification is referred to as “Social Vouching,” and it enables teenagers to ask mutual followers (three followers) to vouch for their age by sending a request, and the respondent has three days to confirm the teen’s age. Please be aware that the person providing to vouch must be at least 18 years old and cannot be providing a vouch for anyone else at the time.
Meta believes that by using these three verification methods, they will be able to provide appropriate experiences to different age groups, particularly teenagers. And let us hope that these verification methods are implemented globally soon so that teens on Instagram are not misguided.
Age Verification via ID proof
Meta regarding the partnership with Yoti for age verification, said:
We’re partnering with Yoti, a company that offers privacy-preserving ways to verify age. Yoti is verified by the Age Check Certification Scheme and is the leading age verification provider for several industries around the world including social media, gaming and age restricted e-commerce. Expert and governmental organizations in youth and privacy, including the German regulator KJM, have publicly endorsed Yoti for their approach and expertise in responsible artificial intelligence (AI).