Leading age and identity verification technology provider makes heavyweight appointments to support its ambitious plans in the vaping sector

1account, a leading technology provider to online vendors of age restricted products and services, has created a new advisory board to support its ambitious plans in the vaping sector, which includes the roll out of a new B2C ID app to prevent under age access to vape devices and e-liquids online and offline.

Joining the new board are:

• Ralph Topping, the former chief executive of bookmakers William Hill

• Simon Bazalgette, former CEO of the Jockey Club, which own the biggest 15 racehorse venues in the UK

• Mark Aylwin, the former Managing Director of Booker, owner of Budgens, Londis and Premier symbol groups as well as the largest wholesaler in the UK convenience retail sector supplying over 100,000 independent shops and off-licenses

• and Murray Perkins, who was previously Policy Director at the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC)

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Following 1account’s significant success in providing age verification technology to the vaping and gambling sectors, Aylwin will help drive the continued roll out of the company’s online technology and help businesses in the vaping sector make the transition to accepting the company’s new consumer digital ID app, 1account ID, for their online and offline commerce.

The new B2C product will help to prevent unlawful access to vaping products online and in vape retail outlets, convenience stores and supermarkets within the UK and internationally, aligning with the British Government's strategy to build a Digital Identity Trust Framework.

The new consumer digital ID app will complement the company’s existing online verification technology which cross references consumers’ purchasing information against data sources that enable it to validate its authenticity, such as a user’s mobile phone network.The company currently provides such a solution to a number of major vape retailers including Ecigwizard, E-Cigarette Direct, Vapourcore and Royal Flush Vape.

1account’s online validation platform uses more data sources than other providers, and as a result it has seen validation success ratios exceed 95%, rapidly expanding the company’s reputation across a range of age restricted sectors, such as vaping and gambling.

Through its online verification process, the company is fast growing the numbers of consumers signing up to its consumer digital ID solution. The app means consumers won’t need to have their details & personal data checked every time they visit a website or high street store selling a vape product.

The company’s latest development comes fast on the heels of Public Health England’s Vaping Evidence Review 2021, just published, which calls for an improvement in the enforcement of age of sale regulations for vaping.

Says Aylwin: “The creation of a digital ID for the purchase of vape products online and offline represents a major step forward and will enable vape retailers to take the most proactive stance possible in preventing under age sales of vape devices and e-liquids. 1account can offer vape retailers a solution both online and offline that enables compliance for now and the future.”

“We also live in an era where young adults are used to the convenience of their smartphones and using digital technologies to access electronic documents. Therefore a consumer digital ID, which will be available in the palm of their hands through their smartphone when purchasing restricted products will be incredibly convenient for this demographic to prove in real time who they are.”

“Through my experience in the retail marketplace I am looking forward to helping vape product retailers across the board to adopt the digital ID and verification technology so that they can benefit from faster transactions and enhance their customer experience, but most importantly introduce the most robust protection on the market against under age sales.”

Ben Keirle, Chief Executive and founder of 1account, who sits on the Youth Access Prevention Committee of the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), commented: “Age verification is at the heart of our current operations but we are seeing unprecedented demand for our digital ID product that will play a part in everyday lives in the very near future. In creating this solution, which complements existing processes and provides added protection to minors and vulnerable groups, we are now in a position to help the vaping business sector and their customers to make the transition to a truly digitised environment in the future for the purchase of vape devices and ancillary products.”

Added Keirle: “The collective experience, knowledge and expertise of our new board will be crucial to realising our ambition of becoming the dominant player in age and identity verification in the vape retail marketplace.

“Our digital ID customer base is growing all the time. We have the investment and strategy that will see millions of adults registered for our 1account ID solution by the end of the year, making it an extremely useful proposition for any business providing age restricted products and services. This includes the vape retail sector, which wants to be seen as doing the right thing, whilst at the same time enhancing the purchasing experience of customers.”

1account is introducing its own one-click payment solution for vendors of age-restricted products and services addressing customers’ concerns in sharing personal data on such platforms in order to make a purchase.

Editors Notes

1account is the leading specialist in the development of digital ID and age verification technologies for age restricted products purchased online and offline.

Currently supporting the online operations of prominent businesses in such sectors as vaping and gambling, 1account has established a strong reputation for delivering age verification success rates of up to 95% which is helping to maximise sales conversions and ensure businesses are fully compliant with all regulatory requirements. The company is continuously developing its technologies as part of its ambitious plans to roll out its digital ID and verification technologies across physical environments including betting shops, sporting stadia, casinos, supermarkets, convenience stores, pubs, specialist vape outlets, cinemas and night clubs. Its ultimate mission is to make selling age restricted products to minors history.

In addition, 1account is introducing its own payment solution for age-restricted websites to address customers’ concerns in sharing personal data on such platforms in order to make a purchase.

1account age and identity validation is free of charge to all approved age restricted businesses and consumers, in order to boost compliance amongst the verticals it serves. The company’s key target markets are vaping, alcoholic drinks, gambling and adult entertainment and content.