- Google is now rolling out age verification for users in the Play Store.
- Users may be asked to upload ID, a selfie, or a credit card to prove their age
- The move comes in response to new legislation at the state level in the United States
Google has begun rolling out age verification systems on its Play Store, a move that will require some users to prove they are 18 or older before they can download certain applications.
This change, which mirrors a similar system recently introduced on YouTube, is part of Google’s efforts to comply with new laws for the digital age and better limit access to adult content.
The new system asks users to verify their age using one of several methods. These may include:
- Upload a picture of a government-issued ID
- Takes a selfie for age estimation of the face
- Entering your email address for association checking
- Information about credit card information
- Use of third-party verification service VerifyMy
According to reports, failure to complete this verification can prevent users from downloading a wide range of apps, not just those with explicit adult ratings.
The rollout is primarily driven by new legislation in several US states, including Texas, Utah and Louisiana, which mandate that app stores implement stricter age and child safety measures.
While the stated goal is to protect minors from accessing inappropriate content, the new requirements have sparked a significant conversation among users about data protection and the security of their personal information.
Protection of your data during verification
The new requirement to upload sensitive documents, such as a driver’s license, or submit to biometric scans has understandably raised privacy concerns.
Users are concerned about how this data will be stored, who will have access to it, and the risk of a data breach that could compromise it. Transmission of such personal information over the Internet always carries some risk, which is where using one of the best VPN services can provide an essential layer of security.
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, encrypts your internet connection and creates a secure and private tunnel for your data.
When uploading a copy of your ID or entering credit card information for age verification, using a reliable VPN ensures that information is protected from prying eyes. This is especially important when using public Wi-Fi networks, which are often unsecured and can be a hunting ground for cybercriminals.
For example, a service like NordVPN encrypts your traffic so that even if it were intercepted, it would be unreadable. This added security measure can give users peace of mind when they are required to share sensitive personal data to comply with these new digital regulations.
Although Google has its own security protocols in place, taking personal responsibility for your data by using a VPN is a sensible precaution in an increasingly complex online world.
