1. Selfie-Based Age Estimation Tools
A government-commissioned report found these tools are fast, reasonably accurate, and privacy-preserving in general.
However, accuracy falters in a “grey zone” near age 16—especially for non-Caucasian users, female-presenting individuals, and those close to the age limit. A 16-year-old had an 8.5% chance of being misidentified as younger.
Another study highlighted extreme misclassifications: up to 73% of 15-year-olds being incorrectly estimated as 16, and bizarre errors like a 12-year-old judged to be 85 years old.
2. Fallback Methods (ID Checks & Parental Consent)
Selfie tools may require backup verification via government IDs or parental authorization when inconclusive.
Raising privacy alarms: storing ID data raises risks of misuse or data breaches, though appeal processes are intended.
3. Comprehensive Age Assurance Approaches
A trial involving over 60 technologies confirmed age assurance can be done privately, robustly, and effectively, but emphasized no single method works universally—meaning platforms must utilize multiple tools.
4. Privacy vs. Practicality Tensions
The trial found no major technological barriers, yet experts caution:
Many systems are biased or inaccurate, especially across gender and racial lines.
There’s growing concern about government or social media companies accumulating sensitive age-verification data.
