We are introducing a number of new features to improve your experience in Avakin Life. Thanks to your feedback, we will be adding features to enable our older players to chat more freely and enhancing our protections for our younger players:
- New Age Verification methods
- Age Verified apartments
- Updated chat experience
1. What is Age Verification and how does it work?
We are very excited to announce that we have partnered with Yoti Limited (registered in England under company number 08998951) (“Yoti”) to bring Age Verification to Avakin Life! As well as offering a range of in-game benefits, it will now be easier than ever to identify and chat to fellow adult players.
You will have the choice of either an age estimation using a real-time selfie, or a legal identification document check.
2. Which way of verification method to choose: selfie-based or ID-based?
Taking a real-time selfie is quicker and does not require unnecessary personal details, therefore we will ask you to take this route first. If for some reason the check fails, we will offer you to retry or use the ID verification method instead.
3. What does Age Verification unlock?
We are introducing Age Verified apartments 🎉
You must be 18 years old or older to create or access Age Verified apartments. They will not be available or visible to non-verified players.
Age Verified apartments offer our older players a less restrictive chat filter, so you can chat more freely.
4. Benefits
With Age Verification, you will be able to show off your status in-game with an exclusive badge and profile background. With your badges on display you can be confident you are talking to a fellow adult.
5. What else is changing?
As part of these improvements and our ongoing commitment to player safety, we will be increasing the chat filter in all other areas.
6. My estimated age is incorrect, what can I do?
If the age estimation returns an age under 18, you may have the option to retry or you can ID verify with a legal identification document.
7. Age verification didn’t work
If the age estimation fails, for example the image is unclear, you may have the option to retry or alternatively ID verify with a legal identification document.
8. Which identity documents are accepted for the verification process?
Yoti supports ID documents from over 200 countries and territories. You can find the full list here.
For UK nationals, Yoti also accepts UK CitizenCard, UK Young Scot Card and UK Post Office PASS Card.
9. How long does it take to get a successful verification?
Normally, verification takes less than 10 seconds after submitting your identification document.
10. Can I use the same identity document for different Avakin accounts?
Yes. We understand that many of our players have more than one Avakin account, so you will be able to use the same ID for multiple accounts if you wish!
11. How can I be sure that the documents I send are secure? Will my information or face be shared?
Yoti’s security processes are regularly reviewed every year by external audits and penetration tests. They use leading technology to keep information secure. This includes encryption techniques and the servers used to store information. You can read about their Age Verification Privacy Policy here.
12. Can I still send my age verification request through Avakin Player Support?
You can only complete the 18+ age verification through Yoti.
13. What if I don’t have ID?
If you do not own any of the supported identification documents, you can still complete the age estimation verification. Yoti age estimation uses technology to accurately estimate a person's age by looking at their face. You can read more about how this works here.
14. How much does it cost?Age Verification will incur a one-time only cost of $5.49. Please note that this may vary depending on your local currency exchange rates.
15. Why is there a charge for Age Verification?
Age Verification is a new feature which unlocks 18+ apartments and in-game items. The cost includes support, development and the use of a third-party platform. We believe this is a fair and competitive cost, which we will continue to review.
16. How do I know if an apartment is Age Verified?
Age verified apartments will display this icon.
These will only be visible to players 18 or above.
17. Why can’t I access Age Verified apartments?
Age Verified apartments are only available to players who are 18 or above.
18. Why did I need to enter my date of birth?
We ask to collect your date of birth to ensure your experience in Avakin Life is safe and age appropriate. We may also use your date of birth to assist with account verification.
19. Taking a photo for age estimation
Here are some tips to help you take a photo:
- Hold the phone straight in front of your face.
- Keep your head straight, not tilted at an angle.
- Have your eyes open, visible and free from reflection or glare from glasses. To avoid reflections or glare, we recommend that you remove your glasses (if you can) before taking your photo.
- Make sure your hair isn’t covering your eyes.
- Take off any head coverings (unless worn for religious or medical reasons, in which case try to show as much of your face as is possible).
- Avoid having any shadows across your face.
- If you can, do this in a place with natural light or good lighting conditions.
20. How to start Age Verification process:
Click on ‘Settings’ (cog wheel) in the Avakin Life App. You can also verify your age when trying to access an Age Verified space or when you try to create one yourself.
Go to Account and click ‘Verify 18+ Account’.
Once you click the option to verify, a screen will pop up with information about Age Estimation and Age Verification benefits.
Click ‘How it Works’ to learn more information about age estimation.
Choose ‘Continue’ to begin the age verification process.
Yoti will require consent for the use of images used to verify age and acknowledgment of their Privacy Notice and Biometric Policy.
Once you opt into the age verification process, you will be asked to allow Avakin Life to have access to your camera to determine whether you are 18+.
In the event that the age estimation tool cannot accurately determine your age, you will be given the option to use a legal identification document to verify your 18+ status.
After your picture has been taken and you have been successfully verified, you will be given the option to pay for verification.