Instagram tests new tool to verify age of users

Instagram has teamed up with Yoti, a company that focuses on online age verification

Instagram is testing new options to verify the age of users on its platform. The photo-sharing application owned by Meta Platforms Inc. is looking at two ways to verify a person’s age, in addition, to enabling them to upload their identity proof online. Instagram has teamed up with Yoti, a company that focuses on online age verification to ensure users’ privacy. Users can upload a video selfie to verify their age, after which Yoti’s technology will estimate their age based on their facial features. Meta and Yoti will delete the image once the age of the user has been verified. Another option enables the user to select three mutual followers to confirm the age of the user, and the person vouching must be at least 18 years old.

If someone is a teen (13-17 years), then they are shown age-appropriate content, preventing unwanted contact from adult users they don’t know and limiting the options advertisers have to reach them with ads. The initiative came after Instagram paused the launch of Instagram Kids after receiving criticism and opposition to the project. Instagram Kids was marketed as requiring parental permission to join and was supposed to provide ad-free, age-appropriate content, but US lawmakers and advocacy groups urged the company to drop its launch plans, citing safety concerns.