Google announces age verification system

Age verification is a topic discussed all over the world and enforced by several laws . Currently, there is no reliable system that prevents access to adult content and guarantees privacy at the same time. Google claims to have found the best solution by leveraging the Credential Manager API. The first practical implementation in Europe will be that of Sparkasse .

Wallet-based age verification

Age verification is provided for by the Digital Services Act (DSA) as a measure to prevent access to content prohibited to minors. AGCOM in Italy has recently published the technical methods for the implementation of the systems and announced that it will participate in the testing of a dedicated app pending the European digital wallet (EU Identity Digital Wallet).

Google has proposed a solution that uses the Credential Manager API . Thanks to the Zero Knowledge Proof technology (used in Google Wallet) it is possible to prove that you are of legal age without revealing any other information. Sites and apps can use the API to “call” the chosen method for confirming your age, such as a mobile wallet or an app.

At the Global Digital Collaboration Conference in Geneva, Google announced the first practical implementation in collaboration with Sparkasse . The network of 343 savings banks will offer its more than 50 million customers a wallet-based age verification service .

The solution, which will be available in the coming months, integrates directly with Android and Chrome , enabling one-click age verification on supported websites and apps. In the future, it could be used to offer new types of services. One of them combines identity and payments, as you can see in the video:

The merchant generates a QR code that the customer “reads” with the smartphone camera. The wallet linked to the bank account allows to confirm the payment and the age of majority (in this case necessary to buy alcohol).