Preventing Underage Purchases with Facial Recognition Technology

  • John Lewis becomes first UK retailer to implement AI-powered age checks for online knife sales
  • Yoti’s facial age estimation technology used for verification
  • System trained on millions of facial images with 1.3-year accuracy for ages 13-17
  • Technology more reliable than human judgment, says Yoti
  • Anti-spoofing measures in place to prevent photo deception
  • UK government introduces stricter knife regulations due to rise in knife crime
  • National Police Chiefs’ Council calls for improved age verification systems

UK retailer John Lewis has become the first to implement AI-powered age checks for online knife sales, using Yoti’s facial recognition technology to prevent under-18s from purchasing knives. The system, which estimates age with a 1.3-year accuracy for ages 13-17, ensures a higher age threshold and includes anti-spoofing measures to prevent photo deception. This comes as the UK government introduces stricter knife regulations due to rising knife crime.

Factuality Level: 9
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about John Lewis implementing AI-powered age checks for online knife sales, the technology used, its accuracy, and the reasons behind this move. It also mentions the legal context and concerns regarding knife crime and social media platforms.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about a new AI-powered age check system implemented by John Lewis for online knife sales to prevent underage purchases and includes quotes from relevant sources. It also mentions the ongoing issue of knife crime in the UK and potential future legislation. However, the last sentence seems unrelated to the main topic and could be considered noise as it mentions inflation and the Autumn Budget without any clear connection to the rest of the article.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: No
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses John Lewis implementing AI-powered age checks for online knife sales to prevent under-18s from purchasing knives, which is a financial topic as it involves a retailer’s business decision and strategy. However, there are no direct impacts on financial markets or companies mentioned in the article.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the article.

Reported publicly: www.retailgazette.co.uk