connectID & Retail Drinks Australia trial digital age checks for online alcohol sales
eftpos' new digital identity solution, connectID, is expanding its trial of a digital age verification process for purchasing alcohol online after a successful initial trial in partnership with Retail Drinks Australia, as announced at today's Liquor Retail Summit.
The expanded trial comes ahead of the NSW Government's legislation that commences in July next year and requires consumers to verify their age before they're able to purchase alcohol online.
The initial trial involved connectID, global Identity Service Provider Yoti and Sydney based specialist craft beer retailer Beer Cartel supported by technology partner MyIntegrator, to successfully demonstrate end-to-end transactions, with auditable age verification.
The expanded trial will now involve additional online liquor merchants and further Identity Service Providers, including Australia Post.
eftpos' Entrepreneur in Residence Rob Allen said the trial demonstrates how digital identity technology can lead to the creation of easy to implement 'industry-led' solutions that are simple for customers.
"We are excited to be working with Retail Drinks Australia, Yoti and Beer Cartel on this very practical example of how digital identity can make life easier and safer for merchants and consumers, and expanding the trial further with new partners," Mr Allen said.
This solution makes it simple for consumers to identify themselves, while also helping alcohol merchants meet their compliance obligations.
"connectID is collaboratively working with state governments, industry associations, businesses and online merchants to simplify and manage a range of customer identity needs and requirements, helping solve compliance requirements for many different sorts of businesses," Mr Allen said.
Retail Drinks Australia CEO Michael Waters said as the peak national industry body for Australia's retail liquor industry, Retail Drinks and our members are committed to the responsible promotion, sale and supply of alcohol beverage products.
"We're pleased to be working collaboratively with partners like eftpos and other stakeholders on this 'industry-first' age verification pilot for same day online alcohol sale and delivery that seeks to strike the right balance between good regulation and the freedom to retail responsibly," Mr Waters said.
Australian Regional Director of Yoti, Darren Pollard said Yoti is delighted to be integrated into the connectID identity exchange which we believe will further support awareness of reusable digital identities in Australia.
"We are excited to participate in this trial to collectively devise an industry-led solution for secure age verification for online alcohol purchases, at both the online point of sale and at delivery which will provide shoppers a secure, safe and quick experience and online retailers a fully compliant solution," Mr Pollard said.
eftpos began its new digital identity solution, connectID, mid last year, with the aim of making it easier for Australians to share, store and receive personal identity information online.
While connectID securely facilitates the identity verification or data exchange, it does not store the identity data. Identity service providers store consumer identities and take responsibility for providing this secure information only under the consent of the identity owner.
connectID has applied to become the first accredited non-government operator of a digital identity exchange in Australia, as interoperability is key to the connectID solution. It is designed to work within the Federal Government's Trusted Digital Identity Framework (TDIF) and the industry's TrustID framework, as well as emerging international standards.
About eftpos
eftpos is Australia's debit card system, processing over 2 billion debit card transactions in 2020 worth an average of more than $300 million each day.
