Proof of age to access certain websites

The importance of proof of majority for certain websites

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In an increasingly digitized world, the protection of minors online is a central concern for regulators and businesses alike. Legislation governing access to adult-only content or services, such as online gaming sites, adult platforms, bookmakers or the sale of alcohol online, is rigorously enforced to ensure a safe and appropriate online environment.
These regulations require companies to implement robust age verification mechanisms. In this article, we'll explore the crucial importance of proof of age, and how Archipels, specialists in decentralized identity wallet, can provide you with an effective response to this legal and regulatory requirement.

Restricting access to certain sites to adults is based on the overriding need to protect children and teenagers from inappropriate content and potentially dangerous online situations. In 2024 in France, it is estimated that 2.3 million minors access pornographic sites every month, a worrying and illegal situation under the penal code. Early exposure to adult content, gambling or controlled substances can have serious consequences for the development and well-being of young people.

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The Arcom guidelines: a turning point in the regulation of adult content

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Arcom (Autorité de Régulation de la Communication Audiovisuelle et Numérique) has strengthened its measures to protect minors from exposure to online pornographic content. The new law of May 2024, known as "SREN" (Sécurisation et Régulation de l'Espace Numérique), gives it more direct sanctioning powers, such as administrative blocking and delisting of sites that fail to comply with the obligation to verify users' age.

On October 9, 2024, Arcom strengthened its age verification requirements with a strict benchmark, requiring adult sites to comply within three months with the obligation to check the age of their users. This standard, which now serves as a minimum standard, is designed not only to ensure the reliability of age checks, but also to guarantee respect for users' privacy.

In concrete terms, these standards dictate the technical criteria to be met by adult sites, including the obligation to use age verification solutions to control age effectively and discreetly. These requirements make France one of the most proactive countries in regulating access to adult content.

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Sites and sectors concerned by the majority test

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There are several sectors that are subject to legislation requiring the majority of Internet users wishing to access their services to be verified.
Here are the main ones:

Adult content (pornographic sites)

When it comes to sites offering adult-only content, the need to verify the age of users is imperative. Strict regulations, such as the new Arcom guidelines, aimed at preventing minors from accessing this type of content are put in place for obvious reasons of protecting our children and teenagers. Companies operating in this industry need to ensure that only individuals of legal age have access to their platform. This is where Archipels' decentralized identity wallet solutions come in, providing reliable age verification mechanisms while preserving user confidentiality. Archipels enables users to securely prove their age of majority, without the need to disclose sensitive personal information and while maintaining anonymity. This innovative system is based on a reusable Credential digital "proof of majority", offering a flexible solution for users while complying with the rigorous standards defined by Arcom. It has already been put to the test in the field, in the digital paths of online pornography players.

Thanks to these innovative tools, adult sites can guarantee a secure online experience that complies with current regulations, reinforcing user confidence and the legitimacy of their platform.

Online gambling and bookmakers

The constantly evolving online gambling industry has to navigate a complex regulatory landscape. The protection of minors is a top priority, as evidenced by the law aimed at "securing and regulating the digital space" which will see the light of day in 2024. The online betting industry is subject to strict regulations aimed at preventing access by minors. Bookmakers must implement robust age verification mechanisms. By combining an innovative approach to privacy protection and regulatory compliance, Archipels offers online bookmakers a reliable solution to guarantee adult-only access that can be easily integrated into their KYC process.

Dating sites and social networks

When it comes to social networking and dating sites, the protection of underage users is crucial. Access to these platforms can expose young people to inappropriate content and unsupervised interactions. To meet this imperative, laws such as the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) in the United States, and article L227-4-1 of France's Code de l'action sociale et des familles, require platforms to implement robust age verification mechanisms.

E-commerce sites selling alcohol, cigarettes, CBD and more...

Selling age-restricted products online requires rigorous age verification. In line with the Arcom standard, Archipels offers a decentralized identity wallet technology that guarantees secure, regulatory-compliant access for adults only.

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What easy solutions can be put in place to protect minors?

Classic solutions... unreliable!

Conventional majority verification procedures on websites often rely on online forms where users declare their age. However, these methods have considerable limitations. They are easily circumvented by ill-intentioned individuals, compromising the protection of minors. What's more, they do not allow for reliable verification of declared identity, opening the door to potential fraud. This traditional approach leaves room for the risk of non-compliance with current regulations, and jeopardizes the safety of even the youngest users.

In this context, it becomes imperative to explore innovative and more secure solutions to guarantee robust age verification.
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The digital identity wallet

The principle is extremely simple. When Internet users wish to access a website protected for minors, or purchase a product reserved for adults, they simply need to present "proof of majority". This proof takes the form of a digital Credential , which can be presented in a single click on any website from a cell phone or computer. Internet users will have two methods at their disposal:
- by taking a photo of their ID only once (intelligent recognition of date of birth and deduction of age)
- by taking a photo of their face, then an algorithm (AI) instantly estimates their age and therefore potentially their majority.

Once generated, this Credential can be stored in the Archipels cloud wallet, so that it can be reused at will with a single click to access all sites requiring proof of majority, without creating friction. This meets the Arcom requirement of verifying proof of age each time a site is accessed. A proof of majority is valid for life and can be reused on all partner websites."

This system offers companies immediate legal compliance, enabling them to respond effectively to new regulatory requirements governing access to restricted content. By integrating a simple, fast user path, the onboarding process is optimized to limit any drop in traffic, thus preserving the traffic of the sites concerned.

In addition, the double anonymity system guarantees total protection of privacy: neither the issuer nor the verifier of the proof of age can access the user's identity. This level of security ensures that only adults have access to sensitive content, while effectively protecting minors.

Arcom reminds us that the protection of minors does not rely solely on age verification, but on the adoption of the safest solutions that respect privacy.