Key facts
- Yoti CEO Robin Tombs is calling for minimum standards for age verification in social media.
- The UK government is considering a ban on social media access for under-16s.
- Yoti suggests combining facial age estimation with other verification methods.
- Concerns exist about intrusive age verification and data privacy.
- Research shows public support for the ban but skepticism about its effectiveness.
The chief executive of digital identity firm Yoti has warned that the UK government's proposed ban on social media access for under-16s may not be effective without clear minimum standards for age verification.
Robin Tombs, CEO of Yoti, stated that the success of the policy, announced by Keir Starmer and under consideration by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), hinges on how "highly effective age assurance" is defined by regulators like Ofcom.
Tombs pointed to Australia's similar ban, which he believes has been criticized due to a lack of appropriate "safety buffers" in facial age estimation technology, leading to many younger teenagers accessing restricted platforms. Yoti advocates for a multi-layered approach, combining facial age estimation with methods like digital identity wallets or document checks, rather than relying on a single technology.
However, civil liberties groups and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) have expressed concerns that widespread age verification could lead to intrusive data collection and the requirement for biometric information, potentially restricting access to platforms that already offer parental controls.
Forrester research indicates that while a majority of UK consumers support the ban, a significant portion remains skeptical about its practical enforceability. The firm also noted that such measures signal a global shift in platform accountability, potentially leading to redesigns and increased compliance costs for tech companies.