The lack of a reliable standard for safe, effective age checks across sites and apps online has long frustrated parents and companies. Google’s Credential Manager API — backed by Google Wallet and zero-knowledge proof cryptography — has proven that it’s possible. What’s needed now is collaboration and initiative to bring about the future of digital identity.
That begins now. At the Global Digital Collaboration Conference today in Geneva, Germany’s Sparkasse, a trusted network of 343 regional savings banks with more than 50 million customers, announced a first-of-its-kind, wallet-based digital age verification service in partnership with Google.
This partnership will enable customers to securely and privately prove their age online using a trusted credential issued by their Sparkasse. In turn, apps and sites will gain a unique and reliable way to only admit age-appropriate visitors — and, crucially, to protect children from content that is not for them.
This solution integrates directly with Android and Chrome, enabling seamless, one-click age checks on supported websites and apps, potentially even enabling whole new services — all without revealing personal data. This will be available in the coming months.
