The scheme

Touch2id is a new way to prove age for 18-25 year olds that uses a single fingerprint sensor (biometric reader) instead of your picture to prove you are 18 or over. The free card or mobile sticker can be used across pubs, clubs and shops when you are buying age restricted items such as cigarettes and alcohol.

Its quick and easy to use and it means no-one has to scrutinize your picture, know who you are or where you live.

The Touch2id cards and stickers use ‘contactless’ technology as used in some of the latest credit cards or London’s Oystercard for Tube travel.  This enables data on smartcards to be securely read ‘over-the-air’ using RFID.  This ‘contactless’ technology will also be found in the next generation of smart phones equipped with Near Field Communications (NFC) to enable mobile commerce (m-commerce).

In 2010 licensed retailers in Trowbridge and Melksham, Wiltshire are the first in the UK to use Touch2id readers. The biometric and smartcard readers match the print on your card/ sticker to the one on your finger in under 3 seconds!

A really neat aspect is that it is absolutely DATABASE FREE, there are no links to the web or any database. 

How to use

Instead of having to produce your Driver's License or Passport everywhere you go just use Touch2id :

Step 1 - hold your card or mobile sticker over the reader

Step 2 - place your finger on the sensor

Step 3 - the unit checks if they match

If they match, 4 green lights appear and a beep sounds telling the retailer you are 18 or over - that's it!

Your card or sticker won't work with anybody else's finger and since you no longer need to continually show your name and address to people just to buy a drink your privacy is far more protected.

After all it's not about 'Who you are' but 'What you are' - that you're 18+