Online ID scheme to target paedophiles

An electronic age verification scheme designed to crack down on paedophiles who use the internet to groom child victims was launched today by the UK's largest photo ID card scheme, CitizenCard.

The scheme, interactiveAgeCheck (iAC), which CitizenCard claims is the first of its type in the UK, will allow internet companies - such as chatroom operators - to check the age and identity of their users.

Underage users will not be able to access adult-themed sites, such as gambling, that sign up to the iAC, and paedophiles who "groom" potential victims on the web will find it more difficult to gain access to iAC-subscriber sites designed for children.

CitizenCard's chief executive officer, Andrew Chevis, said: "We believe that iAC will make the internet a safer place for young people, adult consumers and retailers alike.

"It will allow people of the right age to access the services they are entitled to, while denying it to those who aren't, or preventing them from under-age purchases.

"iAC also ensures that websites can be identified as protected for retailers adhering to their legal and social responsibilities."

The card will also be used on interactive TV and G3 mobile phone services.

CitizenCard claims that the scheme will also allow the estimated 35% of consumers aged over 18 who do not have credit cards to buy goods online.

iAC is backed by the Home Office as well as GamCare (which provides neutral advice and information on the social impact of gambling) and internet chatroom habbo.com.

John Carr, internet adviser to the children's charity NCH, said: "Being able to establish the age of internet users is truly the holy grail for those concerned with child safety on the internet.

"We are now sadly all too familiar with those cases where children have gone in to an internet chat room and met someone there who has lied about their age as part of a strategy to ensnare and entice them into an online relationship with the aim of meeting them in real life to abuse them."