Identity assurance technology review & exclusionary risks of online age assurance

In November 2020, Ofcom started regulating video-sharing platform services (VSPs). Ofcom is required to ensure that VSPs within the UK's jurisdiction take 'appropriate measures' to protect minors from content which may impair their physical, mental or moral development.

The guidance lists ten measures which VSPs might adopt, as appropriate, one of which is 'age verification (assurance) systems to protect minors.'

There are two problem areas for this project:

• Problem Area 1 - inform our understanding of technical measures currently in use, as well as future solutions that will emerge with new technologies. In addition, we are keen to explore the role of safety by design, as it intersects with identity assurance and verification. Our ultimate goal is to establish the technological art of the possible as well as today's best practice when it comes to identity assurance and verification.
• Problem Area 2 - Ofcom are looking to conduct a review of recent evidence and data relevant to the risk that certain groups of adults and/or children may be less able to prove their age online (having regard to the variety of different age assurance methods available and the nature of their use on different kinds of online service).