Age Verification Software Guide
Age Verification Software, also called AVerS, is a type of software designed to restrict access to digital content based on an individual's age. It is used in many industries such as online gambling, alcohol and tobacco sales, streaming media services, as well as general online content. The software works by prompting users to provide proof of their age before allowing them access to the desired content. Generally this requires users to enter their birth date or provide other personal information such as driver’s license number or Social Security Number.
The software can be installed on websites, mobile applications and more recently voice-enabled devices like the Amazon Alexa and Google Home. For example, an online store selling alcoholic beverages would require customers to verify their age before checkout by entering a valid form of ID – for example a passport or driver’s license number.
The benefits of using Age Verification Software are numerous; it enables businesses to ensure compliance with relevant regulations in areas such as age access restrictions placed on certain products/services. This type of software also reduces the chance that children are exposed to inappropriate material and helps prevent underage drinking or smoking related health problems due to access of regulated materials intended for adults only.
Various types of Age Verification Software exist depending on the customer's requirements: some are completely automated (the process is completed within seconds) while others may require manual verification (someone manually inputs customer data into a system). Some systems may even use facial recognition technology which pairs customer data with images taken from government-issued IDs such as passports or driver’s licenses.
In addition, some systems allow customers additional flexibility when providing proof of identity by permitting alternative forms such as credit cards or social networking profile information (in lieu of traditional government-issued identification). There are organizations that specialize in providing payment service providers with Age Verification solutions allowing merchants to accept payments from customers who have passed Age Verification checks without having their own internal solution in place.
Overall, Age Verification Software helps businesses protect themselves from risks associated with underaged usage/access while also helping safeguard children from being exposed inappropriate material and activities intended for older audiences only – ensuring compliance with relevant regulations across all platforms where it is implemented.
Features Offered by Age Verification Software
- ID Scanning: Age verification software can scan and verify customer information on their driver's license or photo ID, quickly verifying whether they are of legal age. This feature ensures accuracy and security while streamlining the purchasing process.
- Age-Restricted Products: The software is able to recognize when customers are ordering age-restricted items, such as alcohol and tobacco, which may require additional identification checks in order for them to be sold legally.
- Digital Signature & PIN Capture: For added security, customers may be asked to sign a digital signature, or enter a personal identification number (PIN) before completing the transaction. This extra step helps prevent fraud and underage sales.
- Automatic Rejection System: The system can also be set up with an automatic rejection system that will automatically reject sales attempts from potential customers who do not meet the minimum age requirement for purchasing certain products or services. This feature saves time and eliminates confusion over whether an order has been approved or declined.
- Reporting & Analytics: An age verification software typically includes reporting and analytics capabilities, allowing businesses to monitor trends in customer behavior and increase understanding of their target audience’s buying habits.
Types of Age Verification Software
- AgeBand: AgeBand is a biometric age verification software that uses facial recognition technology to verify the user's identity and age. It is used in retail stores, restaurants, bars, and universities to ensure that only those of legal drinking age are able to access certain areas or purchase certain items.
- Veratad: Veratad is another age verification software that verifies the user’s identity and age by cross-referencing available public records such as driver’s licenses or social security numbers. It is commonly used for online purchases of restricted products or services such as alcohol, gambling, or tobacco.
- AgeChecker: AgeChecker is an automated web-based platform that helps verify the customer’s identity and age by cross-referencing available public records such as driver’s licenses or social security numbers. It can be used for online purchases of restricted products or services such as alcohol, gambling, or tobacco.
- IDology: IDology is a cloud-based solution used to increase confidence in digital transactions by verifying customers' identities. This type of software verifies identities using multiple data points including personal information, address history, email addresses, phone numbers, and other unstructured data sources like social media profiles.
- EVS Online: EVS Online is a comprehensive suite of online tools designed specifically for verifying an individual's identity and age via multiple touchpoints including documents such as driver's license scans and passport scans stored securely in the cloud. The system also verifies the source documents against various databases to ensure accuracy.
Trends Related to Age Verification Software
- Age verification software is increasingly being used as a way to ensure online content is only accessed by age-appropriate users.
- The software works by using various data points, such as a user’s name, date of birth, and IP address, to determine their age.
- Age verification software is becoming more popular as companies seek to better protect children from accessing inappropriate content online.
- The technology is also being used for other purposes, such as preventing underage people from accessing alcohol or gambling websites.
- Companies are beginning to use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies to improve the accuracy of age verification software.
- This AI-enabled age verification software can better understand the user’s behavior, allowing for a more accurate determination of their age.
- Biometric authentication is becoming another popular method for verifying a user’s age. This can include fingerprint scanning or facial recognition software.
- There has been an increase in the use of mobile apps that allow users to store their age verification information, making it easier and faster for them to access age-restricted websites and services.
- Governments around the world are introducing new regulations that require companies to implement age verification software on their websites.
Advantages of Age Verification Software
- Protects Minors: Age verification software can limit access to age-restricted materials and services, keeping children and young adults away from inappropriate content. By implementing this technology, websites are able to protect their customers’ minors from viewing explicit material while also blocking those who are too young from using the site or purchasing products.
- Enhances Trust: By providing a layer of age verification, businesses can strengthen customer trust by demonstrating they are committed to protecting children online. This confidence can be extended outside of the website as well since customers know that the same precautions will be taken when they make purchases on other sites in which the company operates.
- Reduces Liability Risks: If minors gain access to restricted materials on a website or purchase items that should not be available to them, it creates liability risks for businesses. Age verification software helps reduce these risks by denying access or preventing purchases based on the user’s age.
- Increases Accuracy of Data Collection: Online documents such as petitions, surveys, and forms often require an individual’s date of birth for identity verification purposes. Age verification software increases accuracy by authenticating dates entered into these fields and confirming whether or not an individual is over the required age before submitting data.
- Helps Comply with Regulated Industries: Companies in industries such as gambling, tobacco, alcohol sales and cannabis must comply with government regulations related to age restrictions on their products or services. Age verification software allows these companies to verify ages quickly and accurately without manual processing.
How to Find the Right Age Verification Software
- The key to selecting the right age verification software is to consider your specific needs. You should first recognize the scope of the system you need, such as whether it’s for a business, website, or app. You should also decide if you want a one-time verification or an ongoing system.
- Next, you should research which vendors offer the features and functionality that best meet your requirements. Look at their customer reviews to get feedback on their service and support. Additionally, make sure the vendor has robust security options in place so that customer data is safe and secure.
- Finally, make sure that the cost of using the software fits into your budget and meets any compliance standards you may have. Once all these criteria are met, you can choose the right age verification software for your organization.
Use the comparison engine on this page to help you compare age verification software by their features, prices, user reviews, and more.
Types of Users that Use Age Verification Software
- Retailers: Use age verification software to verify a customer’s age when selling goods or services that may require it.
- Online Gaming Companies: Age verification is often required before allowing customers to make purchases of in-game items or participate in certain online activities.
- Social Media Sites: Require users to enter their date of birth upon signing up, and then use this information together with other data points to determine if they are old enough to access the service.
- Alcoholic Beverage Distributors: To ensure that customers purchasing alcoholic beverages are at least 21 years of age, many distributors use age verification software during the checkout process.
- Movie Theaters: Film ratings are imposed by a rating board, and movie theaters must adhere to those guidelines. Age verification software is often used as an additional layer of security for these types of businesses.
- Gambling Websites: In order to comply with regulations from governing bodies such as the UK Gambling Commission, many gambling websites use age verification software to ensure that only players aged 18+ can join.
- Healthcare Providers: Healthcare providers often use age verification software when patients are signing up for their services, providing proof that they meet the minimum age requirement set out by law or regulations.
- Banks/Financial Institutions: Banks and other financial institutions typically require proof of identity before allowing individuals to open accounts; this includes verifying that they have reached the legal minimum age necessary before using banking services.
Age Verification Software Cost
The cost of age verification software varies depending on the specific needs of a business. Generally speaking, software packages range from $100 to thousands of dollars. At the lower end, software packages can offer basic verification services such as checking driver’s license or passport numbers against a database. On the more expensive side, some vendors offer custom solutions that are tailored to meet specific requirements and even integrate with existing systems. It is important to note that in many cases these higher-end solutions come with additional features and support options; thus making them more expensive than basic packages. Furthermore, for businesses requiring multiple points of age verification, such as bars and nightclubs, further costs may be incurred for additional components like security hardware or card readers. Ultimately it is best to consult with providers directly in order to get an accurate cost estimate according to your business’s size and particular needs.
Types of Software that Age Verification Software Integrates With
Age verification software can integrate with a variety of different types of software like identity verification software. For example, ecommerce platforms, such as Magneto and WooCommerce, can be integrated with age verification software to ensure that users must prove their age in order to purchase products or services. Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram can also be integrated with age verification software to prevent underage users from viewing prohibited content. Finally, any applications or websites that contain adult content, such as gambling sites or streaming services, can integrate with age verification software in order to protect minors from accessing inappropriate material.