MobilePay adds age-verification feature for in-store purchases

MobilePay is adding a feature that lets its nearly 4.8 million Danish users prove their age in physical shops, DR reports.

The age proof will appear under the Wallet menu in the app as an update rolls out to users from Tuesday. Users will also be able to add a passport photo, the company behind MobilePay, Vipps MobilePay, said.

Rema 1000 is among the retailers that will accept the feature. The chain’s employees will be informed about how it works in the coming period.

Vipps MobilePay product manager Dennis Kvade said the need to prove identity and age is increasing across Europe, both online and in physical shops. He said carrying a passport is not especially practical, while there have also been cases of people cheating age checks.

The age proof is not an official identity card and cannot replace a passport, health card or driving licence. It is intended for use in shops and nightlife venues where young people may need to show they are old enough to buy items such as alcohol.

It displays only the user’s age bracket, name and photo. Whether to accept it as proof of age will be up to each user and retailer, so acceptance is not guaranteed at every shop.

The Agency for Digital Government launched the AltID app earlier this year. It is Denmark’s first official digital proof of age and identity and can be used both in person and online.