Earlier this week, Instagram announced that it was testing new options to test the users age for its verification system when making an account. Apparently, one of the options might have users take a selfie video to prove their age.
The popular social media platform has stated that it is testing two new ways to verify one’s age, apart from requiring them to upload their identity proof online. Erica Finkle, director of data governance at Meta (Instagram’s parent company), said that “When we know if someone is a teen (13-17 years), we provide them with age appropriate experiences like defaulting them into private accounts, preventing unwanted contact from adults they don’t know and limiting the options advertisers have to reach them with ads.”
For this verification system, the company will be partnering up with Yoti, which a firm that specializes in online age verification and also ensures users’ privacy. Once the video is uploaded by the user, Yoti’s technology estimates their age based on facial features. Following this, Meta and Yoti will delete the image once the age has been verified. Apart from this, Instagram also plans on allowing people to select three mutual followers to confirm the user’s age.
Although, the people vouching for the verification process must be at least 18 years old. Notably, the popular app is bringing this system after it paused the launch of Instagram Kids last year. This app was meant to be dedicated for children and would require parental approval by providing an ad free and age appropriate content on its platform.
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