Yoti has released a new white paper detailing major accuracy improvements in its facial age estimation technology for users aged 13 to 17. The update comes as digital platforms across the United Kingdom prepare for the enforcement of the Online Safety Act (OSA), which took effect on July 25 and mandates the use of “highly effective” age assurance methods to protect minors online.
Accuracy Improvements Target Critical Teen Demographic
Yoti’s latest system achieved a mean absolute error of just 1.1 years for users aged 13 to 17, and a true positive rate of 99.3 percent when distinguishing individuals under 18 from those over 21. These results represent a new benchmark for biometric age estimation and offer a timely solution for platforms seeking compliant verification tools. The white paper emphasizes that the technology operates without collecting personal details or identity documents, and all facial images are deleted immediately after processing. No human views the image data at any stage.
The company’s age estimation technology has been cited by Ofcom as a method capable of meeting the “highly effective” threshold required under the OSA. Although Ofcom does not endorse specific vendors, this designation gives platforms confidence that facial estimation may qualify under the new rules if implemented appropriately. “Our age estimation technology accurately estimates a person’s age by looking at their face. We built it to give everyone a secure and private way of proving how old they are in different everyday scenarios,” Yoti stated in its announcement.
Live Pilots and Real-World Applications Expand
Several UK platforms have already begun deploying biometric age checks ahead of enforcement. Reddit launched a facial age estimation pilot in early July to restrict access to adult content, and other services are expected to follow suit. The technology is also being used in physical retail environments. Recent trials in Lithuanian supermarkets and integrations with Diebold Nixdorf self-checkout systems show how facial age estimation is being explored for in-store purchases of age-restricted goods.
According to Yoti, its technology now processes over one million age checks per day in more than 90 countries. As governments and platforms seek scalable, privacy-preserving ways to enforce age limits, improved biometric solutions like these are likely to play a central role in the next phase of online safety and compliance.
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
