Innovative AI app that automates age verification now available in stores across Ireland

Johnston Retail Services has partnered with Privately SA to bring the AgeAI app to Ireland, helping to prevent vape sales to minors and avoid the risk of costly fines

20 November 2024 – Stores across Ireland can now benefit from a pioneering AI solution that can estimate someone's age with almost 100% accuracy, thanks to a new partnership between Dublin’s Johnston Retail Services and SafetyTech company Privately SA.

Privately’s AgeAI app provides automated and highly accurate facial age estimation, removing guesswork from age checks and mitigating the risk of fines for selling vapes to children. It is 100% anonymous, with no images transmitted or stored, GDPR certified, and helps protect staff by reducing the need for unnecessary ID checks for adults that are a source of major conflict.

A 2023 study revealed that more than one-third of young people aged 13 to 16 in Ireland currently vape, and almost one-quarter of 10 to 12-year-olds said they had tried vaping.

“Underage vaping is a problem in Ireland, and there's a pressing requirement to prevent sales to minors,” said Deepak Tewari, CEO, Privately SA. “But store owners and managers need help, and our partnership with Johnston Retail Services delivers that, with an automated, accurate and speedy solution that allows staff to avoid the confrontation that comes from requests for ID and turning people away.”

Johnston Retail Services works with a majority of nationwide Irish retailers including Applegreen, Centra, SuperValu, An Post and Dunnes Stores. It helps retailers transform, providing innovative solutions that grow revenue, enhance customer experiences, and fortify the foundations of retail success.

The deal with Privately SA will see Johnston Retail Services bring AgeAI to stores in Ireland. It requires minimal setup, and crucially, it’s no burden to customers. People just look at a screen that instantly notifies whether they appear above a certain age. If there’s a positive indication, checkout continues. If it is not, an ID request can be made.

AgeAI is already in use with hundreds of independent vape stores in the UK due to Privately SA's partnership with the retail trade association Our Vape Advocacy. Bringing AgeAI to Ireland is a breakthrough in helping to combat underage vape sales, and an essential use of innovative technology, according to Brian Hurley, Commercial Director at Johnston Retail Services:

"Ensuring your operation has a technology focus is now more important than ever. Those who adopt and embrace the technological solutions available tend to reap more success with much less effort than one may think."
“Enforcement of age-restricted selling is no doubt going to become more and more prevalent. AgeAI is extremely simple, affordable and an indispensable tool that we are excited to be able to offer our customers to help with this legal selling requirement.”

Privately is a SafetyTech startup whose child safety apps have protected more than 100,000 children in the UK and worldwide. During the past year, Privately has carried out almost one million age check transactions in retail environments.

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For further information about Privately SA, visit https://www.privately.eu/
For more information about Johnston Retail Services, visit https://www.retailservices.ie/

PR Contact:
Paul Allen – Rise PR
+ 44 (0) 7515 199 487 / paul@risepr.co.uk