Instagram has launched age-estimation technology in the UK
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)Instagram has launched age-estimation technology to verify the ages of users in the UK, who won’t need to upload ID.
Instagram expanded its test to countries including India and Brazil in October, before launching in the UK and the EU. Previously, users could upload an ID or ask adults to vouch for their age.
Instagram has required users to provide their age so that they can access “appropriate experiences” based on their age group. People have to be at least 13 years old to sign up for an Instagram account but people aged 13-17 can access different content from people aged 18 and over. Additionally, under-18s have private accounts by default and limited ad exposure.
How does Instagram’s age verification work?
Instagram is using age-estimation technology from software company Yoti to verify users’ ages. Users can upload a video of themselves that will be analysed by the technology.
Yoti says its technology is accurate to within 1.36 years for six to 12 year olds and 1.52 years for 13 to 19 year olds. The tech cannot identify anything else about people than their age, and Yoti deletes images immediately after use.
Tara Hopkins, Instagram’s public policy director, said: “We want everyone to experience Instagram in a way that’s appropriate for their age, which means we need to know how old they are – and this is a challenge across our industry. That’s why today’s announcement is such an important step, and why we’re particularly excited to be working with Yoti, who are leading the way in building effective technology to verify age, while putting privacy first.
“This work complements our ongoing efforts to improve our age detection technology, and to develop new ways to give teens the safest and most meaningful experience possible on Instagram.”
Julie Dawson, chief policy and regulatory officer at Yoti, said: “Proving age online is a complex, industry-wide challenge. We are delighted to continue our work with Meta to create age-appropriate experiences and enable people to thrive and be safe online.
“Our facial age estimation is a privacy-preserving solution. We built it to give everyone a secure way to prove their age without sharing their name or an ID document. The technology can allow minors to access content which is appropriate for their age, whilst protecting the privacy of users. Today’s announcement is another step in the right direction to create safer online environments.”
