Google and Sparkasse work on age verification system

Google is launching a pilot project for an age verification system in Germany together with the Sparkasse banks. Among other things, it is based on Google Wallet, with the Sparkasse responsible for age verification. The aim is to make it easy to provide proof of age online or when making purchases – and to save data.

Google has been working for some time on a digital identity (DI) that stores personal information in Google Wallet and can selectively release it. Instead of sharing all information such as name, address and other personal data as when showing an ID card, Google explains that requesting parties only receive the date of birth for age verification. In mid-June, Google announced an age verification tool for Europe that considers the specifics of this region.

Basis: Credential Manager for Android

With the Credential Manager API, Google provides a secure way to share identity information, including age. Websites and apps can use this tool to query the mobile wallet or digital age verification app – and only receive the necessary age information, Google confirms. This is intended to overcome one of the greatest challenges of universal age verification. In some US states and the UK, interested parties can already store their IDs in Google Wallet and use them to prove their age, Google announced at the end of April.

At the "Global Digital Collaboration Conference" in Geneva, Sparkasse has now announced its collaboration with Google. The Sparkasse, which has around 50 million customers, issues proof of age. This can then be easily approved with one click using Google's Credential Manager API under Android and with Chrome for apps and websites. Children and young people can thus be protected from unsuitable content.

Further details are still unclear. The project is set to enter the pilot phase in the coming months. It is not yet known exactly how the Sparkasse's proof of age will be compared to the Google systems. Currently, Sparkasse cards cannot be added to Google Wallet – this would be one way of proving that you are of legal age. So far, Sparkasse customers can make do by adding a PayPal account to Google Wallet and using it to pay with the Wallet.

The age verification requirement is an increasingly pressing issue in Europe, as the EU and some member states are insisting on stricter implementation for reasons of youth protection – including clear age limits and age controls for the use of social media services . The increased pressure in the EU led to a withdrawal of several weeks in June by the French provider Aylo, which operates large porn portals such as Pornhub. In their distress, the French resorted to the increased use of VPN services to conceal their geo-IP.

(dmk)