Facebook is adding age verification to its dating service. Parent company Meta will use verification software from UK firm Yoti in an attempt to stop under-18s accessing Facebook Dating.
Users will be asked either to upload a document or use Yoti’s facial age estimation technology, which analyses a selfie taken by the user. According to Yoti, the software will be used only when Meta's own age detection technology finds potential discrepancies in the age someone has provided and their suspected age.
It will roll out to users in the US first. Julie Dawson, Yoti’s chief policy and regulatory officer, said: “Enabling young people to thrive and be safe online is of the utmost importance.
“So, we’re delighted to continue our work with Meta to create age-appropriate experiences, this time on Facebook Dating. Daters can have greater confidence in who they are meeting online, and most importantly, young people will be better protected from accessing inappropriate content and experiences.”
Erica Finkle, Meta’s director of data governance, said: “Our age assurance tests show that our tools are working to help keep young people within age-appropriate experiences, and we’re proud to partner with Yoti to provide people with simple to use options that respect their privacy.”
It comes as technology leaders and lawmakers grapple with the issue of online safety.
Similar technology has been introduced on another Meta platform, Instagram. It asks asks users who attempt to edit their date of birth from under 18 to over 18 to verify their age through the same system.
Meanwhile the Online Safety Bill is returning to Parliament. The new internet safety laws would require firms to have systems in place to prevent younger users from accessing potentially harmful material if passed.
