How facial scans could decide if you’re old enough to buy alcohol

FACE scans powered by AI could be used to check that customers buying alcohol at supermarkets are over 18.

The British Retail Consortium is calling for laws allowing the age estimation technology to be introduced.

It said there were more than 1,300 incidents of violence and abuse against shop assistants every day, with staff asking to check a customer’s age a common trigger.

The technology would make stores safer for staff and customers, the BRC said.

Its call comes after successful trials by the Home Office at several UK retailers including Tesco, Asda and Morrisons over the past year. Yoti, the UK firm behind the software, says it can estimate age to within 18 months with near 100 per cent accuracy.

Shoppers buying alcohol look at a camera at the self checkout for a facial scan. An algorithm then estimates their age.

No personal details or ID are required and all images are deleted immediately. Anyone deemed under 25 is refused and a staff member alerted to do a check.

The law currently requires a person to observe and approve the sale of alcohol.