AI age estimation technology rolled out in vape stores is preventing minors from buying restriced goods, new data has found.
SafetyTech company Privately SA has revealed that UK stores using its AgeAI devices have scanned an average of 92 customers per store daily, identifying up to eight as underage.
The technology removes subjectivity from age verification by providing instant and highly accurate facial age estimation. It is fully anonymous, with no images transmitted or stored, ensuring full GDPR (UK) compliance.
By automating checks, it can help stores prevent fines and reduces friction between staff and customers.
“Asking for age ID can be a major source of conflict and automation is a hugely effective way of addressing this,” said Ankush Panwar, AgeAI product manager at Privately SA. “Age estimation removes the potential for friction and allows store owners and managers to make smart and AI-based decisions. They want to do their best to operate responsibly and not sell to minors, and AgeAI makes this seamless for all parties.”
The technology has performed more than one million age checks in retail stores to date.
Business owners with multiple stores can use the data from AgeAI to identify which are likely to have a higher incidence of minors trying to buy vapes and put robust checks in place, said the company.
A unique feature is its automated ‘refusals register,’ which digitally records instances where purchases are denied due to age restrictions. This simplifies compliance for retailers, ensures accurate reporting and enhances staff accountability.
“Our automated refusals register is transformative. It can be challenging for stores to understand how refusals are being maintained, but automating the process means streamlined tracking, centralised metrics for compliance management and actionable feedback to enhance staff training and ensure accountability.
“As the UK tightens enforcement on underage vape sales, solutions such as AgeAI provide a scalable, accurate and privacy-conscious way to ensure compliance while reducing in-store tensions,” added Panwar.
No comments yet