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How it works

Verify end users' age to comply with regulatory requirements and protect minors from age-restricted content, products, or services. Shufti offers a comprehensive age verification solution designed to help businesses meet compliance obligations while maintaining high conversion rates and user experience.

The age verification process includes the following steps:

  • User Data Collection: End user submits the required proof based on the selected verification method - a facial image for age estimation, identity document images for document verification, or personal details for database lookup.
  • Age Verification: Shufti processes the submitted proof and determines the user's age using the configured method, then compares it against the merchant's minimum and maximum age requirements.
  • Verification Results: The verification results are generated and securely stored in Shufti's back office. Results are delivered to the merchant via callback notification with relevant data based on privacy settings.

Age verification flow

Age verification methods​

Shufti's age verification service offers three distinct verification methods that can be configured independently or in combination to meet specific business requirements and user experience goals.

Facial Age Estimation​​

Facial Age Estimation leverages advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to analyze facial features and estimate the user's age. This method provides a fast, frictionless verification experience without requiring users to upload identity documents.

How Facial Age Estimation Works​​

  • Image Capture: The end user captures a facial photograph or video using their device's camera. The system guides users to ensure proper lighting, positioning, and image quality.
  • Facial Feature Analysis: Shufti's AI algorithms analyze over 100 facial vectors and biometric markers, including skin texture, facial structure, wrinkle patterns, eye characteristics, and other age-related indicators.
  • Age Estimation: Based on the facial analysis, the system generates an estimated age for the user. This estimation represents the most likely age based on the analyzed features.
  • Threshold Comparison: The calculated age range is compared against the merchant's configured minimum and maximum age requirements.
  • Fallback Option (if enabled): If the verification is declined or partially matched, and fallback is enabled, the user is offered the option to verify their age using ID Document Age Check for a more definitive result.

ID Document Age Check​​

ID Document Age Check provides the most accurate and authoritative method of age verification by authenticating government-issued identity documents and extracting the exact date of birth. This method combines document authentication technology with optical character recognition (OCR) to deliver compliance-grade age verification.

How ID Document Age Check Works​​

  • Document Selection: The end user selects their document type (passport, national ID card, and driver's license) from the supported options configured by the merchant.
  • Document Capture: The user captures or uploads clear images of their identity document. For certain document types, both front and back images may be required. The system provides real-time guidance to ensure image quality, proper lighting, and complete document visibility.
  • Document Authentication: Shufti's advanced document authentication engine performs multiple security checks.
  • Data Extraction: Using advanced OCR technology, the system extracts key information from the document.
  • Age Calculation: The system calculates the end user's current age based on the extracted date of birth and compares it against the merchant's configured minimum and maximum age requirements.
  • FFacial Liveness Check (if enabled): When facial liveness is enabled, the system performs additional verification:
    • Selfie Capture: User captures a live selfie or video
    • Liveness Detection: 3D liveness algorithms detect spoofing attempts using photos, videos, or masks
    • Face Match: The live selfie is biometrically compared against the photograph on the submitted document
    • Match Score: A confidence score (0-100) indicates how closely the selfie matches the document photo
    • Threshold Validation: If the match score falls below the defined threshold, verification is declined

Authoritative Database Lookup​

Authoritative Database Lookup offers seamless age verification by querying trusted databases, including government registries, credit bureaus, and other authoritative data sources. This method eliminates the need for document uploads while maintaining high accuracy through official records.

How Authoritative Database Lookup Works​​

  • Information Collection: The end user provides personal identifying information required for database queries. Depending on the country and data source.
  • Data Source Selection: Based on the user's country and the information provided, Shufti automatically selects the most appropriate authoritative data sources.
  • Database Query: Shufti submits a secure, encrypted query to the selected authoritative databases. The query searches for records matching the user's provided information.
  • Record Matching: The database system performs sophisticated matching algorithms to identify records that correspond to the user:
    • Exact Match: All provided information matches database records exactly
    • Fuzzy Match: Advanced algorithms account for variations in name spelling, formatting differences, or minor data inconsistencies
    • Multi-Source Validation: Cross-references information across multiple databases for higher confidence
  • Data Retrieval and Validation: If a matching record is found, date of birth is retrieved and additional attributes are validated.
  • Age Calculation: The system calculates the current age based on the date of birth retrieved from the authoritative database and compares it against the merchant's configured age requirements.
  • Fallback Option (if enabled): If the user receives a "Not Found" result and fallback is enabled, they are offered the option to complete verification using ID Document Age Check.

Privacy Preserving Age Check​​

Privacy Preserving Age Check is a data minimization feature that can be enabled across all age verification methods to protect end-user privacy while still meeting age verification requirements. This feature is designed to comply with data protection regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy frameworks.

How It Works​​

  • Verification Process: The age verification process proceeds normally using any of the three verification methods (Facial Age Estimation, ID Document Age Check, or Authoritative Database Lookup).
  • Data Extraction: During verification, Shufti extracts the necessary information to determine the user's age.
  • Age Verification: The system performs the age verification by comparing the user's age against the configured minimum and maximum requirements, generating a verification decision.
  • Data Filtering: When privacy preserving mode is enabled, Shufti applies strict data filtering before sharing results with the merchant:
  • Data Retention: With privacy-preserving mode enabled, merchants receive only calculated age and Shufti does not retain any end user personal data after verification is complete.