A Brief Overview of Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity – also known as information technology (IT) security or electronic information security – corresponds to all the techniques used to protect the integrity of critical systems, networks, programs, and sensitive information from digital attacks, whether those threats originate from inside or outside of an organization.
Cybersecurity is now a frequent issue for every company in the world, as the global cyber threat continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with an increasing number of data breaches on the web each year.
Nowadays, any software can be hacked. In fact, according to technology experts, there are currently two types of companies on the internet: those that have already been hacked, and those who do not yet know they have been hacked.
Deploying security measures and following best practices is key to protect people while safeguarding their data in an increasingly digital environment. In order to achieve this goal, Go.cam meets the company’s demand for a safer internet by using facial analysis and age estimation technologies powered by machine-learning algorithms.
This technology is already being implemented by XloveCam, a company that serves more than 1 million visitors every day using an infrastructure that is spread over five countries throughout Europe, besides the United States.
Age Detection Solutions
Simply put, an age detection system, also known as age gate, is a technical protection measure used to restrict access to digital content from those that are not appropriately aged.
The implementation of an age detection system, such as the one provided by Go.cam, is crucial as it introduces comprehensive rules that could eventually reduce, if not eradicate, exposure to harmful content online.
This approach also supports content platforms to meet regulatory requirements, as legislation on verification for age restrictions is becoming stricter year by year. An example of this is the Age Appropriate Design Code (Children’s Code), which came into force on September 2020 in the UK and is expected to become an international benchmark.
How Does Age Verification Work?
As mentioned, Go.cam is exploring the next stage of innovation solutions by developing an easy-to-use age verification system designed to limit access to certain websites or services, improving cybersecurity.
The process of age checking developed by Go.cam is simple, fast, and highly accurate. In simple terms, the company uses artificial intelligence to extract information and determine the age of the users by using their smartphone or computer camera. The face analysis includes the location of the pupils, corners of the eye, boundaries of the lips, and the edges of the eyebrows.
Therefore, with a single click and in a matter of seconds, this technology allows companies to check the age of the person trying to access sites that are restricted to those under the age of 18, for example, or just to verify there is a human on the other side of the screen.
If the user’s age is correct, he or she can continue browsing. On the other hand, if the age detected is very close to the permitted age, the second method of verification will be required. For this situation, users simply need to take a photo of their ID with their webcams or smartphone’s cameras, and the system will only use the parts which concern the photo and the date of birth.
This technology speeds up the customer onboarding process, optimizing user experience, and causing minimal visitor disruptions, whilst ensuring children’s security.
Protection of Personal Data
One of the best things about the whole age recognition process is that once the verification is completed, the personal data stored locally in the smartphone, or the computer is entirely erased. This means that no information is transmitted, and the system does not keep any trace of it, so there is no risk of hacking or data breaches on the web. This procedure ensures customer confidentiality and, of course, respect for its privacy.
Last but not least, the age verification system blocks tracking cookies by default, meaning that no personal data (activity on a website, browsing history, geographic location, purchase trends) can be tracked for marketing purposes such as targeted ads.