Amba Karsondas Profile Picture

Amba Karsondas

Amba is responsible for all things Social Purpose at Yoti, ensuring that Yoti effectively balances profit with purpose and continually upholds its ethical and moral commitments.

An image of Dr. Sindhu Joseph, who is smiling at the camera. The accompanying text says "Meet the Guardians: Dr. Sindhu Joseph".

Meet the Guardians: Dr. Sindhu Joseph

At Yoti, our Guardian Council helps us to navigate the complex world of identity. They are an independent board of advisors who act as a moral sounding board for the company. We’ve had a chat with our newest Guardian, Dr. Sindhu Joseph, to find out more about why she chose to be part of Yoti’s Guardian Council.   1) Why did you decide to join Yoti’s Guardian Council? When Yoti reached out to me to join the Guardian Council, I was fascinated by the company’s vision and what Yoti is trying to achieve, particularly from a company-building perspective. Today,

5 min read
An image of a girl looking at her smartphone. Surrounding her are illustrative icons such as a shield which represents privacy and a set of scales representing fairness.

The importance of transparency for facial age estimation

To protect young people online, businesses need to provide age-appropriate experiences for their users. This could apply to online marketplaces, social media networks, content sharing platforms and gaming sites. But to put the correct measures in place, businesses need to know the ages of their customers. It was previously thought that the only way to confidently establish a user’s age was with an identity document, like a passport or driving licence, or checks to third-party databases such as credit reference agencies or mobile network operators. However, regulators are now recognising facial age estimation as an effective alternative. As with

7 min read
A woman smiling and using her smartphone

Making age checks inclusive

In today’s world, we can access a range of goods, services and experiences online. As a result, regulations are being passed across the globe to ensure that young people safely navigate the digital world. From the UK’s Online Safety Act to age verification laws in the US, platforms are being required to check the ages of their users. To do this effectively, the age assurance methods offered must be inclusive and accessible to as many people as possible.   Why can’t businesses just use ID documents? Most people tend to think of age assurance as checking a person’s age

8 min read
Image of a man using his laptop. The accompanying text reads "AI Act - European Union".

Preparing for the EU’s new AI Act

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing our world at a speed that, just a decade ago, we never could’ve anticipated. As AI finds its way into our everyday lives, regulators are racing to catch up with its development. In response, last month, the EU voted to bring in the Artificial Intelligence Act, also known as the AI Act. The Act is expected to enter into force in May or June 2024. This blog looks at what the legislation means for businesses and how they can comply.   Why is there an AI Act? In recent years, it seems as though AI

7 min read
A headshot of Yoti Guardian, Gavin. The accompanying text reads "Q&A with Gavin Starks - Entrepreneur and CEO of Icebreaker One".

Catching up with Yoti Guardian: Gavin Starks

At Yoti, one of the ways we’re held accountable is by our external Guardian Council. Our Guardians are an independent board of advisors who ensure that our products, services and partnerships stay true to our core principles. As his time on the Council comes to an end, we caught up with Gavin Starks, Entrepreneur and CEO of Icebreaker One, about his experience as a Yoti Guardian.   Why did you want to be a Yoti Guardian? Yoti is working at the forefront of digital identity and tackles many of the big challenges of privacy, protection, innovation and data rights head-on.

5 min read
An aerial view of a child using a laptop.

US age verification laws for online platforms

From buying goods online to accessing crucial services, there are countless advantages to an increasingly digital world. But with this development comes the serious challenge of ensuring that users can safely navigate online environments. As young people are able to access the internet more easily than ever, it’s important to make sure that their online journeys are age-appropriate. According to a national survey, the average age at which children in the US first see pornography is 12, with 15% first seeing online pornography at age 10 or younger. In response to the evolving digital landscape, regulation is making strides to

8 min read