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New software helps prevent underage alcohol sales online
By Melita KielyA new online age verification tool has been launched to make it harder for children to purchase age-restricted products such as alcohol.
AgeChecked aims to make it harder for children to access age-restricted content online
AgeChecked has been created to enable businesses to verify the age of their digital users at the point of service – similar to how proof of age is required in retail stores.
The technology comes as the UK prepares to implement the Digital Economy Act, which aims to change attitudes towards how age-restricted material is regulated online, and to put more pressure on digital businesses to age-check all users trying to buy restricted items.
The AgeChecked software sits within the online buying process to prevent any payments or service transactions from taking place by underage buyers.
Alastair Graham, CEO of AgeChecked, said: “Protecting our children online must be of the highest priority. The laws that apply in the real world also apply in the digital world, and we mustn’t forget that.
“We wouldn’t allow them to buy age restricted products or services on the high street, so they shouldn’t be able to access them so easily online.
“With the Digital Economy Act coming into force as early as April 2018, online businesses need to give serious consideration as to how they are aged checking their customers. A simple tick box stating that they are over 18 is just not going to cut it.
“This is why we have developed AgeChecked to give site owners a genuine, legally-compliant method of guaranteeing that those trying to access age restricted content are the correct age.”