Introduction
It’s checkout time at the shops, you’re there with your favourite tipple – but the worker who needs to confirm your age has mysteriously disappeared. With the British public consuming some 1.7 billion bottles of wine in 2020 alone, it’s a problem many of us will have faced, especially now that supermarkets host 51% more self-checkout machines than they did five years ago.
What is Yoti’s Age Recognition Technology?
But what if a would-be drinker could simply look into a camera, and have their age automatically checked by an algorithm? That’s the promise behind the age recognition technology delivered by Yoti, a London software company that’s already conducted millions of checks for age-restricted services online.
Challenges Ahead
As Yoti’s CEO outlined in a recent letter to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, however, stress-free checkouts can’t come overnight. Current UK legislation puts limits on how age recognition technology can be used, which complicates its implementation.
How Does It Work?
Yoti’s age recognition technology is centred around data. Taking millions of pictures of faces, anonymised save for the month and year of birth, the pattern of the face is then converted into numbers. From there, via the power of pattern analysis, an algorithm can calculate the approximate age of any person who looks into a Yoti camera.
Real-World Applications
In 2022, a Home Office trial saw the technology deployed across several UK supermarkets, with 98,000 age checks conducted and not a single underage drinker circumventing the rules. However, environmental factors like bright light can impact reliability, as noted in a government post-mortem.
Legislative Challenges
Despite the technology’s potential, legal challenges remain. The Licensing Act 2003 requires a ‘responsible person’ to approve the sale of alcohol, which poses a problem for automated solutions like Yoti’s. Current regulations also require proof of age to have specific security features, complicating the use of digital IDs.
Public Perception and Future Outlook
While Yoti is working to address public concerns about privacy and data security, the technology’s acceptance may take time. However, with the potential benefits for both consumers and retailers, the future looks promising. As Tombs remains optimistic, the integration of such technology could significantly enhance the shopping experience.
Conclusion
For workers and consumers alike, the advancements in age recognition technology signal a shift towards a more efficient and safer shopping environment.
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