FTC Schedules Workshop on Age Verification Technologies for Jan. 28, 2026

USA: FTC Workshop on Age Verification Technologies

Workshop Overview

A workshop focusing on age verification and estimation technologies is scheduled for January 28, 2026. The event, organized by the Federal Trade Commission, aims to examine how such tools can help online platforms determine the age of visitors and comply with applicable regulations.

Key Topics

Panelists will discuss why age verification matters, the variety of tools available, regulatory challenges, large‑scale deployment strategies, and the interaction between verification technologies and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) rule.

Speaker Lineup

Opening remarks will be delivered by FTC Chair Andrew N. Ferguson, followed by comments from Commissioner Mark R. Meador and Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Christopher Mufarrige. Four additional panels will feature experts from industry, advocacy groups, and government.

Participation Details

The workshop will be offered both online and in person. The physical venue is the Constitution Center at 400 7th St. SW, Washington, D.C. 20024, and a live webcast will be available on FTC.gov. Attendance is free and no registration is required.

Regulatory Context

The FTC highlighted that effective age verification can support compliance with COPPA, which governs the collection of personal information from children under 13. The agency indicated that clearer guidance could help businesses navigate the evolving legal landscape.

Further Information

Additional details, including the full agenda and panel biographies, are posted on the FTC’s event page. Stakeholders and members of the public are encouraged to review the materials ahead of the session.

This report is based on information from Federal Trade Commission, licensed under Public Domain (U.S. Government Work). Source: Official U.S. Government release.