Latest News

Age Verification Technology for Internet Users: A Privacy-Protective Approach

A groundbreaking technology that gauges a person’s age through facial geometry is poised to revolutionize age verification on the internet. Submitted for approval to the US government, this approach could potentially change the way we ensure online safety and compliance with regulations. The proposal aims to introduce facial scanning for automated age verification, with a unique twist: verifying the age of parents themselves rather than their children.

Currently, American privacy laws, particularly the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), provide substantial protection for individuals under 13. However, the entertainment industry seeks an exception to these strict rules, advocating for the use of facial scanning as an age verification tool for parents.

The US Federal Trade Commission is carefully considering an application [PDF] from three organizations: the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), a digital identity firm Yoti (known for its facial age estimation technology), and SuperAwesome (an advertiser partner focusing on online targeting of children). Their joint request seeks FTC approval for the utilization of Yoti’s age-estimating tool within the stringent boundaries set by COPPA.

COPPA obligates websites and apps to secure parental permission before collecting or using personal information from children under 13. Various methods exist to obtain parental consent, and parties interested in proposing new consent procedures can approach the FTC for review.

This is where the age-guessing technology comes into play. Yoti employs a sophisticated blend of AI technology, liveness anti-spoofing, and document authenticity checks to determine a user’s age accurately.

Let’s delve into how the Yoti tech enables parental consent under COPPA:

When a child visits a website, they encounter an age gate, prompting them to provide their parent’s email. The operator then sends a notification to the parent, urging them to verify their adult status for their child to proceed. Additionally, the parent can opt for facial-age scanning as a verification method.
Assuming the child does not misrepresent their age, or the website/app possesses methods to identify minors, such as requesting identification, the process proceeds seamlessly.
If the parent consents to the facial scan, the system captures a selfie, and the software delivers an age estimate.
If the age estimation confirms the parent as an adult, the child gains access to the website. If not, two possible scenarios unfold.
In cases of uncertainty about the individual’s adult status, alternative verification methods such as credit cards, driver’s licenses, or social security numbers can be chosen.
If the method categorically identifies the individual as a non-adult, access is denied. Naturally, we assume that the adult is genuinely the parent or legal guardian of the child.

According to the application, Yoti and SuperAwesome have successfully implemented the “Privacy-Protective Facial Age Estimation” technology outside the US since 2022, performing over 4.8 million age estimates with an astounding 99.97 percent accuracy rate. Now, they seek to bring this innovation to the US.

The “Privacy-Protective” label is not just a marketing tactic. The technology alleviates privacy concerns since it abstains from collecting, processing, or storing identity or payment card data. The facial image is translated into numerical data and compared to patterns in the training dataset associated with known ages, leaving no trace of the live scans.

Concerning privacy, an ESRB spokesperson reassured, “The live scans used for this process are never stored, used for AI training, used for marketing, or even sent to the operator; the only piece of information that is communicated to the operator is a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ determination as to whether the person is over the age of 25.”

SuperAwesome’s Kids Web Services offers this tech as a verification method to developers outside the US, with Epic Games being one of its prominent customers. Despite being a relevant example, Epic Games did face a hefty fine of $520 million for COPPA violations, making it a potentially controversial highlight in the application.

Latest News

UPDATED: Rumors and Speculation Surround Shirley Lara Amid Communication Silence

BCAMS Magazine is closely connected to many cam studios and cam models. Over the past four to five weeks, rumors have surfaced regarding Shirley Lara, the COO of Chaturbate and one of the most influential figures in the live camming industry.

According to various cam studios, they’ve sent multiple emails to her without receiving any response—an unusual situation considering she used to reply promptly to just a single email.

Affiliates are experiencing similar issues.

There is speculation that the company’s management rejected a new contract, valued at over $20 million and set for the next five years, fueling further rumors and uncertainty.

We wish Shirley Lara all the best!

—–

Last-minute UPDATE: We just received an email from Shirley Lara, who addressed these rumors directly.

“I am (and have been for over a decade!) team CB! I have zero interest in leaving the tremendous team and community we’ve built.“

“Very much to the contrary, I’ve never been busier (or more excited!) with all the great things that we are doing at CB, including developing new content creator resources, monetizing tools, and other creator-focused features.”

Lara reiterated her commitment to ensuring Chaturbate remains at the forefront of the industry:

“Since we launched CB, it has been my mission to ensure that CB remains at the forefront of the industry with our creator support and monetization, making Chaturbate the best revenue-generating platform for creators in the world. That includes: the highest overall revenues earned by content creators, second to none; and how we set the bar a long time ago with the highest payouts in the industry.”

She also teased upcoming developments:

“Over the next few months, we will be launching these new tools and features, directed to our most important community members – our creator-broadcasters. We know everyone will agree that these new tools and features will further set Chaturbate apart as the flywheel that supports the content creator community and the entire content creator ecosystem.“

With this clear and direct response, Shirley Lara has dispelled the rumors and reaffirmed her commitment to Chaturbate and its future.

Events

LALEXPO VIP 2024: TOTAL SUCCESS!

Our second edition of LALEXPO VIP, held August 15-18 in Punta Cana, was a huge success. We had the participation of 252 attendees, who lived an extraordinary experience that combined growth, innovation and entertainment. It was three days full of learning and fun.

Relive the best moments of LalexpoVIP 2024 in Punta Cana!

The Meliá Punta Cana Beach Resort Hotel provided an elegant and cozy atmosphere, perfectly complementing our welcome dinner, sponsored by Neum Web App, as well as the conferences and networking activities among the attendees.

In addition, we had the pleasure of having a great catamaran sponsored by PAXUM, which took all attendees to Isla Saona, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

We concluded the day with a party sponsored by Cherry TV, where the atmosphere was charged with energy, vibrant music and a dazzling display of lights. The evening became a celebration of connections and achievements.

LalexpoVIP2024 was much more than an event; it was a catalyst for opportunities and a stage for continuous inspiration. Each day offered a new dimension of experiences, resulting in robust networking and a shared vision that promises to revolutionize our industry. With this mix of business and pleasure, we bid farewell with the certainty that the magic of Lalexpo VIP 2024 will be repeated in the next edition. See you soon!

Cam Sites

ImLive Launches Translation Tool to Boost Model-Member Communication

ImLive has just rolled out an exciting new feature designed to break down language barriers and enhance communication between Models and Members. The new translation tool, now live in the Message Center widget, enables Models to easily translate messages from over 39 languages with just a click.

To use the tool, Models can simply spot the translation symbol at the top of the Message Center widget, select their preferred language, and hover over any message they wish to translate. This feature is designed to help Models connect more deeply with Guests and Members, ensuring no message is lost in translation.

With this tool, Models can give their fans the attention they deserve, promote their Discount Club offers, announce their online presence, or invite Members to upcoming shows. It’s a fantastic way to turn more visitors into regulars and build lasting connections.