Yubo, a GenZ social network app, launched an age identification feature to prove digital identity
It has been a known fact for some time now that social media is one of the primary sources of information for young people. Keeping track of what age group each social media platform caters to has become increasingly important as more and more minors use these platforms without adult supervision. In light of this, Yubo - a Gen Z social app - has rolled out new technology to better identify minors using its service.
Many children are aware that they may deceive their age to access platforms designed for older people, which is how they wind up on websites that aren't child-friendly or pose greater dangers from their use. Age recognition software is nothing new, but Yubo's implementation of it will hopefully make a difference. The app will now use AI to analyse a user's photo and estimate their age range - giving parents and guardians a better idea of who is using the app.
Increased Security
With popularity comes a need for greater security. Yubo had collaborated with the digital identity provider Yoti to help it vet potentially suspicious persons previously. If individuals used numerous phone numbers or devices, or if they had been reported by others, Yubo would request that they confirm themselves by providing their IDs. You handled the ID verification procedure. The main problem with this method was that minors frequently lacked identification.
Now, with Yubo's new age estimation technology in place, the app will be better equipped to keep minors off its platform - making it a safer space for everyone involved. It is a step in the right direction for social media platforms and one that other companies should look to emulate.
Age Identification Feature
Yubo's parental controls include educational safety features. The app, for example, offers reminders about customised changes (such as Muted Words) and sends notifications to users if they participate in harmful or sensitive personal information-sharing activities. The firm has a Safety Advisory Board that includes international internet safety experts regarding online safety.
When a new or returning user opens the program, they will be sent to an age verification and agreement screen. Existing users who open the software will be displayed a pop-up asking them to confirm their age if they do not already have one. Their camera will activate as soon as they accept, and they'll be asked to put their face inside. The "liveness algorithm" also utilizes a short video to guarantee that the photograph used is genuine and not taken from a search engine.
Enhanced Accuracy
When a face has been detected, the user will either be notified that they've been validated or informed if their age does not correspond to the one they registered with, or that they're utilizing a fraudulent photo.
If the user's age is verified, they will be sent to the homepage and may use Yubo as usual. If verification fails, they must complete a more thorough ID check instead.
Yubo's new age estimation technology is a welcome addition to its already impressive repertoire of safety features. It is hoped that other social media platforms will follow suit, to better protect minors from the dangers that exist online. Age recognition software is nothing new, but Yubo's implementation of it will hopefully make a difference. The app will now use AI to analyze a user's photo and estimate their age range - giving parents and guardians a better idea of who is using the app.
In 2021, Yubo verified around 6,500 accounts each day. Following the verification, 67,000 accounts were banned every month because of discrepancies in age, according to the firm. The technology will initially be launched with 13 and 14-year-old users, to fully verify the identities of 100% of users by the end of 2022. In the meantime, Yubo will continue to work with Yoti to ensure that its platform is as safe and secure as possible.
Yubo CEO states, “It's quite accurate for young people, and especially those under the age of 15... I feel that it's around 99% accurate for 13 to 14-year-old users.” (It's 98.9 per cent correct across all ages, genders, and skin tones, according to Yoti.) Yoti has already run the technology
“It's less accurate for older people, so we've started with the youngest users because we want to protect them more and also because it's more accurate and precise,” CEO adds.
This is a great step forward in keeping children safe online, and Yubo should be applauded for its efforts. Other social media platforms would do well to follow suit.
What do you think of this new development? Let us know in the comments below!