1. Concierge customers were asked to test the age verification system and fill out a brief survey regarding the experience. It appears to be done through the website and some people are already testing/verifying right now.

Posted at 8:45AM on Aug 29th 2007 by Madison Carnot

2. It's up and running for concierge customers as a test. The process took me seconds... enter name, date of birth, address, choose an ID type (Passport number, Driving license number etc.) enter the details, click the button and boom, verified.

The process also has an option for language, which is nice.

What is STILL not clear is what it means in SL... it talks about "allowing you to verify your age, sex, location" but doesn't say *how* you will be able to do this.

Posted at 8:57AM on Aug 29th 2007 by Eloise Pasteur

3. I saw barney B having a screen dump of the process. Interesting. I don't have one. Is it because I have Payment Info on File, but am not a Premium member?

Wait.. is it country of residency? Or citizenship? They differ. Wonder what happens if I fill in country (country A) and passport no or driving license (country B). I have an ID card with number for this country, but it is illegal to use.

I rather break Linden's rules than my new homecountry's laws.

Posted at 9:26AM on Aug 29th 2007 by Sin Trenton

4. I'm curious - once a parcel is flagged as such, what will happen to it?

Posted at 9:27AM on Aug 29th 2007 by FragMagnet

5. Once a parcel is flagged, we're not 100% sure. We've asked but received no answer. All we know for sure is that an unverified user cannot enter the parcel. There don't appear to be any other limitations to them viewing or acting on the contents of the parcel, so long as their avatar doesn't actually enter it.

Posted at 9:39AM on Aug 29th 2007 by Tateru Nino

6. As a concierge customer, I poked at the "test" verification page (I put the word in quotes because it appears to send your personal information over to Aristotle) so that I could get to the survey. Unfortunately the survey is limited to asking whether the verification process worked or not - there's nowhere on it for the feedback I wanted to leave them (that there's no way in any world they're getting this information into this system from me). I expect they're not interested in hearing that feedback anyhow.

Posted at 10:19AM on Aug 29th 2007 by MikeG1 Schumann

7. If this never becomes popular (observe the growth rate of SL with open verification versus prior to that) then no one will want to lock their property, and the adult element of SL will all but die. If it does reach critical mass and everyone's doing it, plenty of parcels - even non adult ones - will get flagged, so annoying griefers can't crash sims. I'm guessing though that it's more likely to be a small time niche thing, because so few people will be willing to verify, that fewer still shops/parcels etc will want to be locked down.

Posted at 10:23AM on Aug 29th 2007 by Paskis Robinson

8. Tried it this morning - not too intrusive.

E-mail from LL does not make me comfortable though, as it references future verification of RL information - which I do not support.

Text below:

Hello, RedDawn Bade.

As you may have heard, we're implementing the first stage of an Identity Verification system beginning with age. Our ultimate goal is to give Second Life Residents the opportunity to reveal as much or as little real life information about themselves as they like, and to have that information verified. We see this tool as critical to supporting Residents in shedding anonymity and building trust-based relationships -- but only to the extent that they're comfortable.

We've engaged the services of a third party provider, Aristotle's Integrity, who will match information that Residents provide with information available in public records. You will be asked to provide your name, geographic location, birthdate, and an ID that is specific to your country, for example the last four digits of your social security number if you're American. We will not be storing any information except for a code that tells us there was a positive match. Integrity will not keep any identifying information about you.

Age verification will initially be used as a way to limit access to restricted content within Second Life. Therefore, in order to enter any parcel or region which has been flagged as containing restricted content, i.e. sexual activity or extreme violence, age verification will be required to ensure only adults, or people over the age of 18, gain access. Verifying age will be voluntary, except in this context.

Prior to launching age verification throughout Second Life, we're hoping you, the concierge customers, will help us out by trying the process and letting us know about your experience -- if you were able to accurately verify your age, if the process itself is clear and understandable, and what problems you encountered. Please visit the Age Verification link available from the Your Account section of our website in the right sidebar and enter the requested information. This link is currently only available to concierge customers. When you are finished, you will be asked to take a short survey to fill us in on your experience.

For more information on Age Verification in Second Life, please visit the Second Life Blog.

Thank you very much for your help, and your continued support.


Linden Lab
Creators of Second Life

Posted at 10:30AM on Aug 29th 2007 by RedDawn Bade

9. There's quite a discussion of this on the various education lists. So far most EU countries seem OK, the Americans haven't tried yet, or not reported if they have, but at least one Canadian can't verify her age...

Posted at 10:44AM on Aug 29th 2007 by Eloise Pasteur

10. It's the publicly available information after verifying with Aristotle that I'm concerned about. If the default is to set a "Over18Verified" flag to "Yes" and that's all, I can deal with that. If they are going to add an extra tab to one's Profile listing their RL name, RL age, RL location, etc., then I have a BIG problem with it.

Posted at 11:05AM on Aug 29th 2007 by Mikey Rooney

11. I really don't think they're going to give out your private info to the public. Think about it. They banned everything that even APPEARED to be gambling just to cover their asses. They're probably going to try to be more safe than sorry so they can avoid lawsuits.

Depending on the extent that one would be able to have their information used, I'd have to say I welcome this. How many people have been burned by going into business with someone who ends up screwing them over and dissappearing? If there becomes some process where you can actually have some RL recourse for the RL amounts of L$ that you lost through someone else's villainy then I think this will be an important step to making SL ACTUALLY business oriented instead of a bunch of people playing "corporation guy".

On a side note, does anyone know if that flagged parcel would show up in search for people that don't have age verification? I don't plan on getting it (not interested in sex or large scale commerce in SL) so I'm curious.

Posted at 11:55AM on Aug 29th 2007 by SqueezeOne Pow

12. Is it just me, or do the answers in the "Questions and Answers" section of the Linden Blog post about IDV look like they've been partly cut off? I'd have mentioned it over there, but by the time I even *saw* the blog post, it had already hit the 100-comment limit, cutting off further commenting.

Posted at 12:07PM on Aug 29th 2007 by Erbo Evans

13. I've gone through the BLOG - such emotional kneejerk reactions all over thye place. I verified - toally painless and quick.

For all the whiners who claim "why must we do this. It's LL's job'
Excatly... and LL is now doing their job.

For all the whiners who claim "Why must I give personal information that will appear on a lst?"
Well - the information you are providing is ALREADY on a list - or it couldn't be matched, now coud it?

For all the whiners who claim "But any kid with access to parents purse can varify..."
Not necessarily true. Unless they created the SL account from the beginning with said parent's first and last name, exmail address, and so on. You access the verify link from your SL account page. So, your SL account info (the RL info you used to create the aSL account to begin with) is used to match against.

Thus, you are simply asked for your (Publicly known) first and last names, mailing address, birthdate and your choice of verification document, such as a passport number, ID number, drivers license number and so on. I chose to use that last four digits of my social security number because I know it off the top of my head.

Clicked submit - took about 2 seconds. Done.
Went into SL and peeked at my profile (no - this isn't my SL name, but the way) - nothing new there that wasn't already. yes, they (LL) may add additional checkboxes for be to turn on and off, such as my age, or location and so on.

But - just like you can set your land to ban anyone who does not have 'Payment Info on File" - a new checkbox is available that simply says "Restricted Content".

It's just an additional, optional method of controlling who may enter your land.

If you follow the Blog at all, you'll recall the who pedo thunderstorm that occured awhile ago and the entry about the 'community' staying 'safe together' or whatever the hell it was.

The firestorm of complaints went crazy. 'OMG, Next it;ll be furries and goreans and BDSM and all the free sex places - SL will turn into Disneyland! OMG!!!!'

Well - this age verification / restriction option helps ensure your favorite fetish or whatever will remain in SL and not threatened to be banned or removed or whatever. There are so many loud kneejerk reactions from most of the blog replyers - it's almost funny.

So, my 'Lifestyler' sim will be safe from abuse reports or any interferance from LL or anyone else because now I can restrict it. No one can claim that my sim is offensive and objectionable to the 'community at large' - it's the same as banning all 'no payment info on file' - but their are too many of those... so now, I can restrict, but still allow them. I'm sorry for all the people who are so paranoid that they are fearful of validating information that is ALREADY publicly accessible, that they won't validate.

and that's okay. It just means that my lifestyler sim will attract the people we want - those who are sure of themselves and not afraid or embarrased wbout who they are.

So, to summarize: verification is practically transparent, fast and easy. I genuinely do not feel like any new information (not already publicly available) is being used. And, it just adds a new 'flag' to my account - like a checkbox - that I cannot turn on or off myself - that will simply give me full access to the grid.

No big deal. No worries. No stress. No problem.

I think LL is handling it quite professionaly and amicably (I say this not to defend LL - but based on my experience with using the system.)

This post is not to convince anyone of anything or to try to change any minds... but simply a detailed explanation of my own experience with it and my expectations of how it works and will be used. I hope my post is found to be informative to your readers who are still confused or have questions about the system.

Posted at 12:17PM on Aug 29th 2007 by ari blackthorne

14. What guarantees do we have that our data will be secure? Will hackers be able to use LL database (which, think about it, could be pretty lucrative) for identity theft?

Posted at 12:22PM on Aug 29th 2007 by Naz Fride

15. I've gone through the BLOG - such emotional kneejerk reactions all over thye place. I verified - toally painless and quick.

For all the whiners who claim "why must we do this. It's LL's job'
Excatly... and LL is now doing their job.

For all the whiners who claim "Why must I give personal information that will appear on a lst?"
Well - the information you are providing is ALREADY on a list - or it couldn't be matched, now coud it?

For all the whiners who claim "But any kid with access to parents purse can varify..."
Not necessarily true. Unless they created the SL account from the beginning with said parent's first and last name, exmail address, and so on. You access the verify link from your SL account page. So, your SL account info (the RL info you used to create the aSL account to begin with) is used to match against.

Thus, you are simply asked for your (Publicly known) first and last names, mailing address, birthdate and your choice of verification document, such as a passport number, ID number, drivers license number and so on. I chose to use that last four digits of my social security number because I know it off the top of my head.

Clicked submit - took about 2 seconds. Done.
Went into SL and peeked at my profile (no - this isn't my SL name, but the way) - nothing new there that wasn't already. yes, they (LL) may add additional checkboxes for be to turn on and off, such as my age, or location and so on.

But - just like you can set your land to ban anyone who does not have 'Payment Info on File" - a new checkbox is available that simply says "Restricted Content".

It's just an additional, optional method of controlling who may enter your land.

If you follow the Blog at all, you'll recall the who pedo thunderstorm that occured awhile ago and the entry about the 'community' staying 'safe together' or whatever the hell it was.

The firestorm of complaints went crazy. 'OMG, Next it;ll be furries and goreans and BDSM and all the free sex places - SL will turn into Disneyland! OMG!!!!'

Well - this age verification / restriction option helps ensure your favorite fetish or whatever will remain in SL and not threatened to be banned or removed or whatever. There are so many loud kneejerk reactions from most of the blog replyers - it's almost funny.

So, my 'Lifestyler' sim will be safe from abuse reports or any interferance from LL or anyone else because now I can restrict it. No one can claim that my sim is offensive and objectionable to the 'community at large' - it's the same as banning all 'no payment info on file' - but their are too many of those... so now, I can restrict, but still allow them. I'm sorry for all the people who are so paranoid that they are fearful of validating information that is ALREADY publicly accessible, that they won't validate.

and that's okay. It just means that my lifestyler sim will attract the people we want - those who are sure of themselves and not afraid or embarrased wbout who they are.

So, to summarize: verification is practically transparent, fast and easy. I genuinely do not feel like any new information (not already publicly available) is being used. And, it just adds a new 'flag' to my account - like a checkbox - that I cannot turn on or off myself - that will simply give me full access to the grid.

No big deal. No worries. No stress. No problem.

I think LL is handling it quite professionaly and amicably (I say this not to defend LL - but based on my experience with using the system.)

This post is not to convince anyone of anything or to try to change any minds... but simply a detailed explanation of my own experience with it and my expectations of how it works and will be used. I hope my post is found to be informative to your readers who are still confused or have questions about the system.

Posted at 12:31PM on Aug 29th 2007 by Alyona Chernov

16. Actually, many people have never provided their names before. If you registered through any of the non-linden registration portals, the only identifying information about your RL self is your email address.

So there is no first or last name to match against - no preexisting data to compare documents to.

Posted at 12:35PM on Aug 29th 2007 by Tateru Nino

17. LOL - yes, my sloppy typing and it seems I have two posting priviledge account here :P

Seriously, folks. It's not that big a deal. Relax, take a breath, keep doing what you're doing. When it becomes available for everyone - go in and try it - see for yourself what information they actually ask for. You don't have to hit the 'submit' button if you change your mind.

But really, the paranoiders really will feel like fools when they see this thing.

The 'I hope that... or I wonder if....' - your questions are legit and I'm telling you - breathe easy. It's no big deal at all.

Posted at 12:42PM on Aug 29th 2007 by ari blackthorne

18. Actually, Tateru...
You do have a point.

And, come to think of it, that shouldn't matter. You manually add your name and addrerss and other information on the verification page - so when I say it is linked to your account - I think it's just that 'flag' or 'cookie' LL
uses to keep the results linked to your account.

What I am saying is - the information they ask for is easily accessible publicly anyway. Google yourself. Goto zoom.com and search for yourself.

What you will find is the same stuff they ask for.So, I correct myself about kiddies getting into mommy's purse. ;)

However, Integrity indemnifies Linden Lab if something like that happens.I am happy about the system for this reason: When the recent storms blew through - especially the whole 'community standards' issue... this system allows me to keep on doing what I want to do... without fear of 'puritans' and 'greater
than thou's' forcing their ideas down my throat because I have a St Andrew's Cross or two sitting around.I really think it is a win-win for everyone.

it's protection for me as well aa LL. :)

Posted at 1:03PM on Aug 29th 2007 by Alyona Chernov

19. It is all fine. If verification is voluntary, it is great. Everybody can have preferable way of going. What is not clear is how LL is going to give data to authorities (in cases of law of court ask them to) if they don't collect them? ( http://metaverse.acidzen.org/2007/identity-verification-has-come )
And how anybody can trust their data to a company that loses our inventories all the time?

Posted at 1:57PM on Aug 29th 2007 by dandellion Kimban

20. >> What I am saying is - the information they ask for is easily accessible publicly anyway. Google yourself. Goto zoom.com and search for yourself.

Sorry ari/Alyona... The information they ask for, address, DOB and Passport Number is *not* available to the public through Google, zoom et al.

Not everyone is American.

Posted at 6:47PM on Aug 29th 2007 by Jayden B