FTC holds online-only workshop on age verification technology amid expected D.C. winter weather
The Federal Trade Commission is spending January 28, 2026 examining age verification and age estimation tools, from biometrics to behavioral signals, and how these systems intersect with privacy law and children’s protections. The agency moved the event to a virtual-only format because of expected inclement weather in Washington.
What’s happening on January 28
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is hosting a public workshop on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET) focused on age verification and age estimation technologies used by websites and online services. The event is intended to map the current landscape of tools and policy approaches and to surface trade-offs around privacy, accuracy, equity, and implementation at scale.
The FTC says the workshop brings together researchers, academics, industry representatives, consumer advocates, and government regulators. Topics include why age verification matters, the types of tools being deployed, the practical and legal constraints that shape adoption, and how these technologies relate to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Rule.
Moved to virtual-only due to weather
Originally planned with an in-person component, the FTC later announced that expected inclement weather in the Washington, D.C. area would shift the workshop to an online-only format. The agency said a webcast link would be provided via its event page on the morning of the workshop.
Who is speaking and what will be discussed
According to the FTC’s event agenda, the program includes opening remarks by FTC leadership and four panel discussions. One session focuses on the policy case for age checks; another examines tools ranging from biometrics to behavioral signals; later discussions consider regulatory pathways, deployment challenges, and how organizations can implement age assurance while limiting unnecessary data collection.
The agenda lists panelists from a range of institutions, including privacy and child-safety advocates, researchers, and industry. The overall goal, the agency says, is to better understand how age assurance technologies work in practice and what guardrails might be needed if these systems become more common across online services used by minors.
Why it matters now
Age verification is increasingly at the center of debates over children’s online safety, social media access, and platform accountability. Supporters argue it can enable age-appropriate experiences and stronger protections for kids. Critics warn that poorly designed approaches can increase privacy risks, lead to over-collection of sensitive data, or create barriers for legitimate users. The FTC’s workshop signals ongoing federal attention to how these tools may be evaluated, regulated, and implemented.