Matt Prendergast Profile Picture

Matt Prendergast

Matt is the Product Marketing Director at Yoti and has helped raise the brand, message and ethics of Yoti. Matt strongly believes in the mission of Yoti where AI can be deployed responsibly to protect people and children from online harms and prevent fraud and scams.

Italy’s new age verification regulation for online platforms

In May 2025, AGCOM, Italy’s Communications authority, adopted Resolution No. 96/25/CONS, which formally approves the rules for online age verification of users accessing adult content. Similar to the UK’s OFCOM and France’s ARCOM regulators, AGCOM requires websites with pornographic content to implement robust age verification checks for users to ensure they are over 18. All three regulations are designed to protect minors from accessing age restricted content.  Italy’s AGCOM has specified two important requirements: Checks must be double blind – that is, age verification providers cannot see what platform is submitting the check, and the platform cannot see any

2 min read
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Yoti’s latest MyFace model re-certified with a perfect score for NIST Level 1 and Level 2 liveness detection

We are delighted to announce the results of the most recent testing of our latest liveness technology, MyFace. Working with iBeta, a NIST certified testing lab, Yoti’s latest liveness detection model was tested to be compliant with ISO/IEC 30107-3 standards. For both NIST level 1 and level 2, Yoti MyFace achieved: 100% detection of attack (0% false positives) 100% approval for genuine presentations (0% false negatives) NIST provides a framework for testing performance levels of liveness detection. Yoti’s passive liveness technology does not require any action from the user and works from a single selfie. Users do not need

2 min read
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German regulator KJM cuts buffer for Yoti's Facial Age Estimation for 18+ content checks from 5 to 3 years

The German regulator, KJM, has reduced the buffer for Yoti’s Facial Age Estimation for the highest level of age assurance from 5 to 3 years. This means, instead of users needing to be estimated as over 23, users must now be estimated as over 21.   Originally approved by KJM in November 2021 for 16+ (erotic) content, in May 2022 KJM approved the use for Yoti’s Facial Age Estimation for the highest level of assurance, covering 18+ adult content, with a buffer of 5 years. Now, KJM have reduced the buffer required by platforms from 5 to 3 years. This

2 min read

How accurate can facial age estimation get?

Facial age estimation using machine learning has advanced significantly in recent years. But, a common and fair question still arises: How accurate can it really be? Can a system look at your face and accurately guess your age, especially when humans often get it wrong? The short answer is that it’s very accurate – but not perfect. We explain why.   The myth of 100% accuracy It’s important to set realistic expectations. No facial age estimation model can achieve 100% accuracy across all ages.  Human aging is highly individual and shaped by many external factors, especially as we get

6 min read
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Why testing data is as important as training data for machine learning models

When developing machine learning systems for facial age estimation, the conversation often centres on the training data: how much you have, how diverse it is, how inclusive it is, and how well it represents your end users.  Not to mention, where the data comes from.  Intuitively, that focus makes sense. More data presumably leads to better models. But test data is just as important, and in some ways, even more critical for ensuring models perform effectively. Training data: more isn’t always better Common sense would suggest that for a machine learning model “the more data, the better.” And that’s

4 min read
Companies house identity verification

An overview of changes to Companies House identity verification standard (and what it means for ACSPs)

As an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), you’ll be aware of the upcoming changes to the Companies House identity verification standard. In 2025, anyone setting up, running, owning or controlling a company in the UK, namely directors and persons with significant control (PSCs), will be required to verify their identity to prove who they are. These changes come as part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 and aim to prevent anyone seeking to use Companies House for fraudulent activities. Failing to comply with mandatory identity verification requirements could result in fines and restrictions on company activities.

3 min read