- Google is now rolling out age verification checks for Play Store users.
- Users may be asked to upload an ID, selfie or credit card to prove their age
- This decision follows new legislation at the state level in the United States.
Google has begun rolling out age verification systems across its Play Store, a move that will require some users to prove they are 18 or older before they can download certain apps.
The change, which mirrors a similar system recently introduced on YouTube, is part of Google’s efforts to comply with emerging laws of the digital age and better restrict access to adult content.
The new system prompts users to verify their age via one of several methods. These may include:
- Uploading a photo of a government-issued ID
- Take a selfie to estimate facial age
- Entering your email address for association checks
- Provide credit card details
- Using the third-party verification service VerifyMy
According to reports, failing to do this verification can prevent users from downloading a wide range of apps, not just those with explicit adult ratings.
This rollout was primarily driven by new legislation in several US states, including Texas, Utah and Louisiana, which requires app stores to implement stricter age limit and child safety measures.
Although the stated goal is to protect minors from accessing inappropriate content, the new requirements have sparked an important conversation among users about data privacy and the security of their personal information.
Protect your data during verification
The new requirement to upload sensitive documents, such as a driving license, or submit them 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. Transmitting such personal information over the Internet always carries a certain degree of risk, which is why using one of the best VPN services can provide an essential layer of security.
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, encrypts your Internet connection, creating a secure and private tunnel for your data.
When you upload a copy of your ID or enter your credit card details to verify your age, using a trusted VPN ensures that this information is protected from prying eyes. This is especially important when using public Wi-Fi networks, which are often insecure 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 additional security measure can provide users with peace of mind when 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 wise precaution in an increasingly complex online world.
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