Mobile technology vouches for age in UK towns
19 June, 2012
category: Biometrics, Government
Young adults in Wiltshire and Somerset counties in the U.K. can save themselves the hassle of proving their age when buying alcohol, thanks to mobile technology provided by Touch2id.
Touch2id has created a sticker that attaches to a mobile phone and contains data from a user’s fingerprint. When held over a Touch2id handheld cordless reader at licensed venues, the reader will verify the user’s adult status.
This system was piloted for two years and is now being rolled out. Geared toward 18 to 25-year-olds, the product is available at the post office, where enrollees verify their data and receive the sticker. The enrollment process takes about five minutes.
The sticker helps curb underage drinking and is useful because it cannot be transferred among individuals. Currently, photo IDs are easier to compromise, leading to more incidences of underage drinking.