The UK Cinema Association is now partnering with the Digital identity app Yoti for age verification. The Cinema Association includes Cineworld, Cinemas, Showcase, Vue and Odeon. Now you won’t turn back from the cinema for 18 rated films if you have the right identification. It’s a free app that allows you to upload your identification card. It’s your secure digital Id which stores your details with encryption, and only you can access them.
The application is convenient and friendly for youngsters. It is accepted as proof of age, providing a safe way to show your ID. Moreover, the UK Cinema Association hopes it will end the challenges faced by the cinema staff.
Yoti Technology
To use Yoti free app, you must have a smartphone where you can download the application. You can add details from your passport and a current photograph. The cinema staff will check the age verified image of you on your app. Phil Clapp, CEO of the UK Cinema Association said, ‘’ of the 165 million to 170 million admissions per year UK cinemas were seeing pre-pandemic, around 30% fall within the 15-24-year-old bracket and around 20% with the 9-14 years-old age group.
He further added, ‘’ For many wanting to get into a 15 or even 18 certificate film, proving their age without a passport or driving licence to hand- can be incredibly difficult and an understandable source of frustration should they be turn away from the cinema.’’
More than 11 million times download
Yoti is a widely downloaded app and is accepted across organisations including NHS, NSPCC, and Virgin Atlantic. Yoti CEO and Co-founder, Robin Tombs said, ‘’ We’re thrill to have many UK Cinema Association members join the 30,000 locations on the UK high street accepting our reusable digital ID apps. ‘’
“Young people expect to be able to do everything with their phone and using it to prove their age will come naturally to them. It’s a win-win for both cinemas and young cinemagoers.”
Cineworld, vice president Shaun Jones believes it will help to reduce violence against the cinema staff. Talking to BBC he said, ‘’ sadly, abuse against our staff happens more often than you’d imagine-from young people, but frequently from parents too.
Indeed, “We’re expecting the digital ID technology from Yoti to help negate some of the abuse to staff.”