Instagram introduces age verification tool for UK users | Tech Reddy

In a major update from November 7, 2022, anyone who edits their birthday on Instagram from under 18 to over 18 will be asked to verify their age by submitting their ID or recording a personal video – analyzed by special age recognition technology.

Internet safety campaigners have long called for age-blocking technology to protect children from inappropriate and harmful content. Instagram’s estimation system sees the company working with UK firm Yoti, which specializes in the technology.

The two companies said that after a user records their selfie and shares it with Yoti, which uses its technology to analyze facial expressions and then share an estimate with Instagram. They note that Yoti’s technology is not facial recognition technology, so it cannot identify or recognize anyone – it only needs to determine the age of the screen being displayed.

No account information is shared with Yoti in this process and the image will be deleted immediately by Yoti and Instagram after an estimated year, the firms said. Instagram began testing the system in other countries earlier this year.

In June, Instagram said it was looking into ways for teenagers to verify their age. In an experiment in America, young people were asked to verify their age in three ways:

In response to the announcement, the NSPCC said it was pleased to see the work being done, but said the measures were not serious, and said the equipment should be available to everyone in the area.

Richard Collard, the NSPCC’s policy and legal director, said: “Ofcom’s research shows that a third of under-18s on social media have agreed to set up in adult accounts, it is important that Instagram takes the necessary steps so that these children are not exposed to danger or harm. He said: “But these actions do little to prevent new young users from creating adult accounts on Instagram or protect children from using it. This half-way house is the reason why the Government should urgently pass an Internet Safety Bill which will ensure that every social media site has a legal obligation to protect children from harmful content on their platform. .

Tara Hopkins, Instagram policy director, said: “We want everyone to be able to use Instagram in a way that’s appropriate for their age, and that means knowing their age. – and this is a challenge across our industry. That’s why today’s announcement is such an important step, and why we’re so excited to partner with Yoti, who is leading the way in creating effective technology to verify age and privacy.

“This work complements our ongoing efforts to improve our age detection technology and develop new ways to give young people the safest and most meaningful experience possible on Instagram.”

Julie Dawson, chief policy and operations officer at Yoti, said: “Proving the internet age is a complex, industry-wide challenge. We are excited to continue our work with Meta to create age-appropriate experiences so people can live and stay safe online. Our facial estimation is a privacy protection solution. We built it to give everyone a safe way to prove their age without revealing their name or ID document.

“Technology can allow young children to access information that is appropriate for their age, while protecting the privacy of users. Advertising today is another way to create in safer online environments.”