Frequently asked questions- Age Verification FAQ | Security & Methods

What is GO.cam?

GO.cam is an online age verification system that allows website operators to quickly verify users' ages before granting access to adult-only content. It's a secure, AI-powered age verification system that enables websites to confirm users’ legal age before granting access to age-restricted content. It’s designed for fast, privacy-focused compliance with global and regional regulations.

GO.cam: double anonymisation, no tracking, fully open-source and certified

GO.cam is built around strict privacy by design. Our age-verification system uses a double anonymisation process: we confirm whether a user is adult without ever storing or exposing identifiable personal data. No tracking or analytics cookies are used, and all checks run on the user’s device to minimise data exposure. Go.cam operates under a double-anonymity principle, it confirms your verification result without storing or sharing any identifiable personal information.

How does GO.cam work?

GO.cam offers four verification methods: email verification, live selfie recognition, ID document verification (passport, national ID, or driver’s license), and credit card verification. The process typically takes less than 30 seconds and confirms that the user is of legal age without exposing unnecessary personal data:

1. Facial recognition: Users take a selfie with their device's camera. Artificial intelligence estimates their age.
2. ID document verification: Users upload a photo of their ID card, driver's license, or passport. Relevant information is extracted to verify age (a valid passport, national ID card, or driver’s license. Accepted document types may vary by country).
3. Credit card verification: Users provide credit card information for age verification.
4. Certified email verification

Why is age verification required?

Age verification is mandatory under international and regional laws to prevent minors from accessing adult or restricted content and to ensure websites comply with applicable regulations. GO.cam enables websites to comply with these regulations using secure, privacy-focused age-verification technologies.

Age verification is required to protect minors from accessing adult or age-restricted content and to ensure that websites comply with national child-protection and data-privacy laws.
As of 2025, several countries and many U.S. states legally require age verification for adult content. Countries with mandatory age-verification laws:

• France: Mandatory age verification for adult websites under the SREN law, enforced by ARCOM. Compliance became compulsory in 2025.

• United Kingdom: The Online Safety Act requires adult websites to implement age-verification. Enforcement begins in 2025.

• Germany: Under the JMStV, adult websites must use certified age-verification systems (“closed user groups”). This requirement has existed for several years.

• Italy: AGCOM’s national age-verification framework applies to adult content. Mandatory implementation begins in November 2025.

• Brazil: The Digital Child and Adolescent Statute (Digital ECA), adopted in 2025, requires age checks for content harmful to minors, including pornography.

• Canada (Provincial level): Provinces such as Quebec have passed legislation requiring age verification for adult websites.

• Australia: National age-assurance measures are being implemented for adult and harmful content as part of ongoing regulatory reform.

• Sweden: No specific nationwide porn AV law yet, but a 2025 law strengthens regulation of online sexual content and the country is preparing a broader age-assurance framework.

• United States : As of 2025, the following U.S. states require pornographic websites to implement “reasonable age verification” to confirm users are 18+: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wyoming

How long does the verification take?

Most verifications are completed in under 15 seconds. The process is optimized for speed, accuracy, and a smooth user experience.

Is GO.cam secure and privacy-friendly?

Yes, GO.cam prioritizes security and privacy:

• All verification processes occur on the user's device.
• No personal data is stored; information is processed locally and deleted after verification.
• No tracking cookies are installed.
• Communication is encrypted with a 2048-bit SSL certificate.
• No data is shared with third parties.
• GO.cam adheres to double anonymization, only receiving information on whether a user is at least 18.

What are the costs? Is the Go.cam verification free of charge?

GO.cam is available as free open-source software on GitHub Go.cam for self-hosting. Using GO.cam's service is free, with no setup or monthly fees. Go.cam provides its verification service completely free for end users.

Is GO.cam certified for online age verification?

Yes, GO.cam is certified by several authorities, including the KJM Central Agency for the Supervision and Protection of Minors on the Internet in Germany and the Age Check Certification Scheme in the UK. Go.cam is certified for online age verification and complies with international regulatory standards.
Go.cam is Challenge 25 compliant, which certifies our verification methods as effective for age assurance on adult websites, as required under age verification legislation in the UK and EU.

How can I integrate GO.cam into my website? How long does integration take?

GO.cam can be easily integrated using an SDK. You can embed it on a new page with a callback URL or as an overlay for optimal integration. Check our developer documentation here. Integration can be completed in minutes depending on what type of implementation you choose, requiring only a single line of code to connect to the Go.cam verification API.

What are the advantages of GO.cam?

• User-friendly: Easy to use and integrate, with verification taking less than 15 seconds.
• Cost-effective: No setup or monthly fees, pay-per-verification model.
• Flexible: Can be integrated as a new page or overlay.
• Open-source: Code is publicly available on GitHub for review.
• Certified: Works closely with regulatory authorities for compliance.
• Secure: All processes occur on the user's device, minimizing risks of data leaks or exploitation.

In summary, GO.cam offers a secure, user-friendly, and cost-effective age verification system that respects users' privacy while ensuring reliable age verification for website operators.

Why is a live selfie required instead of an uploaded photo?

For security and authenticity, Go.cam requires a live, real-time selfie to confirm that a user physically present and to prevent fraudulent or altered uploads.

Why does Go.cam ask for an email address?

Email-based verification is optional. Go.cam supports multiple verification methods, and user only need to provide an email if you choose to use that verification method.

How does credit card verification work?

• It uses a secure, no-charge verification to confirm your identity. No charge is made, and no real transaction occurs during verification.
• Card details are not stored on our systems.
• We do not use 3D-Secure for this verification.

Does a user need to verify his age every time he visits an adult site?

No. Once verified, his Go.cam status can be reused across all participating websites until it’s revoked or expired due to policy changes.

Is the Go.cam account used for verification? What does the Passkey do?

The Passkey is not a login credential for Go.cam. It’s used to store and retrieve an existing successful verification on Go.cam. It does not grant access to the account itself.

What happens after a user is verified?

Once verified, user will gain immediate access to the requested website or service. His verified status can be reused across any other Go.cam-enabled platform without needing to repeat the process.

How long does a user verified status remain valid?

A user verified status is stored securely and remains valid indefinitely, allowing him to reuse it across participating websites without re-verifying.
However, if the partner site only stores his verification result in the Go.cam cookie, the cookie has a lifetime of 90 days. After this period, he may need to re-verify his age to maintain access to adult content.

How does Go.cam keep user data secure?

Go.cam uses bank-grade 2048-bit SSL encryption and processes verification locally whenever possible. All communications are encrypted end-to-end, ensuring maximum data protection.

Does Go.cam use cookies?

Go.cam only uses essential session cookies to maintain your verified login and enhance site security. It does not use tracking or analytics cookies.

What is a Go.cam Passkey?

A Go.cam Passkey is a secure, password-free way to access Go.cam-enabled websites. It uses public-key cryptography to verify your identity without storing passwords or sensitive data.

Why use a Passkey instead of a password?

Passkeys are faster, safer, and immune to phishing and password leaks. They streamline login across platforms while keeping your credentials secure.

Where is user Passkey stored?

User Passkey is stored locally in his device’s password manager or browser keychain. It’s never transmitted or stored on Go.cam’s servers.

Is verification performed locally on user device?

Yes. Verification is done 100% on device, verification is processed locally to improve privacy and prevent data exposure.