Being turned away from a 15 or 18-rated film because you don't identify with the character could be a thing of the past. The UK Cinema Association, which includes Cineworld, Odeon, Showcase Cinemas, and Vue, is collaborating with Digital ID Company Yoti. The free app will be accepted as proof of age, providing a secure and convenient method of displaying identification. It is hoped that the move will also address abuse directed at cinema employees.
Yoti employs the same technology that is used at airports to scan your passport and capture an image of your face. To use the Yoti ID, children will need a smartphone to download the free app and enter information from their passport as well as a current photograph. The digital ID card will then display an age-verified image, which cinema employees will accept.
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% within the 9-14-year-old age group. For many wanting to get into a 15 or even 18 certificate film, proving their age - without a passport or driving license to hand - can be incredibly difficult and an understandable source of frustration should they be turned away from the cinema."