Artificial intelligence (AI) face recognition technology is set to be rolled out at UK supermarkets for shoppers purchasing alcohol under new government plans to limit physical ID.
Policing minister Chris Philp said the government is consulting on whether to amend the law which would allow cameras to scan shoppers’ faces at the till to accurately guess their ages, The Telegraph reported.
He said this could “improve the experience of consumers and retailers”.
In 2022, supermarkets including Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Co-op trialled age estimation technology with digital identity verification company Yoti.
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This saw shoppers that were estimated to be over 25 able to purchase alcohol without additional checks, while those the tech identified as under 25 had to also present physical ID such as a driving licence or passport.
Under the plans, the technology could be rolled out across all UK supermarkets by changing the current law where “a person must make the decision on whether an individual is old enough to purchase alcohol”.
Officials said this could save time on current ID checks, prevent under 18s from purchasing alcohol, and limit violence against workers in supermarkets who have said these checks are one of the reasons they receive abuse from young customers.
However, Philp said that in order for this be to fully effective, shoppers need to have confidence in the technology.
“The need for robust national standards for digital identities and technology remains paramount in order to provide confidence to retailers and consumers alike that they are fit for purpose.
“Any change would reflect the wider cross-government position on the use of digital identities and technology for the sale of age-restricted products and will only take effect once there are government approved national standards in place.”
