Open Rights Group raises concerns over biometric age verification and investor links

Open Rights Group (ORG), a UK digital rights organisation, has raised concerns about the increasing use of biometric age verification systems on major online platforms. The group points to the expanding role of identity verification provider Persona, which is backed by investor Peter Thiel through his venture capital firm, Founders Fund.

Persona provides age-assurance services to platforms including Reddit and Discord. As governments promote stricter online age checks, its technology may require users to submit facial scans or other biometric data to verify their age. ORG argues that many users may not be fully aware of who operates these systems or how their data is handled.

The organisation has also drawn attention to Thiel’s links to Palantir, a data analytics company that has worked with US immigration authorities and defence institutions. ORG states that such connections contribute to public concern about how identity infrastructure is financed and embedded into everyday internet use.

In response, Open Rights Group is calling for safeguards. It advocates for the right to choose between multiple accredited age verification providers, the availability of non-biometric alternatives where possible, and full transparency about how biometric data is processed, stored, and shared. The group also calls for clear limits on data retention and the use of biometric information for purposes such as model training.

According to ORG, users are increasingly concerned about being required to submit biometric data, particularly when children’s data may be involved. The organisation argues that individuals should have greater clarity and control over how their identity is verified online, as age-assurance requirements expand across digital services.