iOS 27.2 introduces new age verification feature using selfie

iOS 27.2 is here and it introduces a new age verification feature using a selfie. Here are the details.

Apple offers a new privacy-focused way to check your age in iOS 27.2

A growing number of territories around the world now require iPhone age verification in certain scenarios, such as when creating an Apple account, updating your software, downloading apps, or changing certain settings.

According to Apple, these requirements may apply to users in Australia, Brazil, Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom and also the United States (Texas).

While iOS already offered other age verification methods, like using a credit card or scanning your ID, iOS 27.2 adds a new option: taking a selfie.

According to a new support document, Apple states:

In some states, countries, or regions, you may be asked to confirm that you are an adult before you can perform certain actions on your Apple Account. One way to confirm that you are an adult is to take a selfie. An age estimation model will then evaluate the images of your face.

The selfie option is not available in all regions, but if you are asked to confirm that you are an adult, you may see the option to use a selfie.

Here’s how it works according to Apple’s instructions:

1. Choose the option to take a selfie, then tap Get Started.
2. Hold your device in front of you and center your face in the frame.
3. Capture all four angles of your face by slowly moving your head right, left, up and down. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the confirmation. It may take a while to estimate your age.

Apple says your privacy is protected by its age estimation models running both on-device and on Private Cloud Compute. The selfie “is not accessible to anyone, not even Apple”. And once your age is confirmed, the selfie is immediately deleted and “is not retained in any form.”

To learn more about Apple’s new age verification feature in iOS 27.2, read the full support document here.

Have you ever had to run an age verification on your iPhone? How did the process go? Let us know in the comments.

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