Age verification is now mandatory across the UK, USA, EU and Australia. But some third-party gateways collect and store sensitive information, creating privacy risks for users and raising costs for businesses. Here’s what’s happening and how a privacy-first alternative works.
What Some Gateways Collect and Store
Depending on the provider, users may be asked for:
- Full name and date of birth
- Address, phone number and email
- Credit/debit card details
- Government-issued photo ID (front/back)
- Selfie images and verification attempt logs
When copies of IDs and logs are retained, they can be exposed in a breach or reused for profiling and marketing.
How That Data Can Be Used
- Shared or sold to advertising and data partners
- Behavioural profiles built from verification logs
- Retention beyond necessity, increasing exposure risk
- “Anonymised” data reuse for analytics (sometimes re-identifiable)
Even with “secure” systems, any stored personal data is a target. Age-verification databases are particularly attractive to attackers.
Legal Fine Print: Where Users Lose Control
Under GDPR and similar laws, companies must state what they collect, why, and for how long. In practice, many policies:
- Bury key details in long, complex terms
- Default to broad “research/analytics” permissions
- Keep data longer than strictly necessary
18Verified: A Privacy-First Alternative
- Zero data stored after verification — no ID images kept
- Private token confirms age across participating sites
- No tracking, no sharing, no ads
- Verify once via credit card or government ID; reuse everywhere
- Flat, predictable pricing for businesses — no per-verification costs
Why This Matters Now
With age-assurance laws expanding globally, millions of users will be asked to verify. Choosing a provider that stores personal data creates long-term risk. Choosing one that doesn’t store data protects users, reduces liability for websites, and keeps compliance simple.
The Future of Privacy-First Age Verification
Age verification doesn’t have to come at the expense of your privacy. At 18Verified, our mission is to give users total control over their information while helping businesses stay compliant with the law, without paying for endless per-user checks.
If you care about your online privacy, choose an age verification provider that respects it.
Key Takeaways
- Some gateways store IDs, logs and contact details — increasing breach risk
- Data may be repurposed for ads, analytics or profiling
- 18Verified confirms age without keeping personal data — privacy by design
About 18Verified: A subscription-based age verification network that protects user privacy and keeps businesses compliant. One check. One login. Global compliance.