Youth Privacy in the Age of AI: Why NSID Refuses to Use Facial RecognitionÂ
At National Sports ID (NSID), we believe that technology should enhance the safety, fairness, and experience of youth sports, not introduce new risks. In today’s data-driven world, facial recognition and biometric tracking are becoming more common in online verification systems. But when it comes to children, those tools present serious concerns.
That’s why NSID has drawn a clear line: No facial recognition. No biometric data. Ever.
What We Avoid—and Why
Biometric data includes things like facial scans, fingerprints, and retina patterns. These identifiers are unique and permanent—unlike passwords or ID numbers, they can’t be changed if exposed or stolen. For adults, that’s a serious risk. For children, it’s unacceptable.
Once a child’s biometric information is compromised, there is no way to reverse the damage. That’s why leading privacy advocates and child safety organizations have sounded the alarm about using facial recognition in educational and recreational settings.
Instead of collecting sensitive biometric information, NSID takes a more responsible and privacy-first approach to youth verification:
- Document-based age verification that is secure and easy to use
- A transparent Privacy Policy that clearly outlines how data is handled
- Regularly updated Terms of Service to keep parents informed
How We Meet (and Exceed) Regulations
In the United States, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) governs how digital platforms interact with children under the age of 13. It requires that platforms:
- Limit data collection to only what is reasonably necessary
- Provide parents with the ability to review, delete, or revoke consent for their child’s data
- Use strong safeguards when storing personal information
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been clear: biometric data collection raises serious red flags. In recent years, the Commission has rejected proposals to use facial scans to estimate a child’s age or verify a parent’s identity. The risk to privacy is too high, and the margin for error is too wide.
NSID doesn’t just comply with these rules—we exceed them. Here’s how:
- No facial recognition or biometric surveillance—ever
- Parent-controlled accounts with full access and deletion options
- Secure, document-based uploads for age and grade verification
Built for the Real World
NSID was designed to meet the needs of real families, coaches, and event organizers. Our verification platform is:
- Fast for event directors managing large rosters
- Reliable for coaches who need verified players quickly
- Simple for parents registering their children from home
There are no facial scans, retina tracking, or invasive biometric procedures—just smart, secure technology built for youth sports.
Setting the Standard
NSID is proud to be the first verification platform in youth sports to go fully privacy-first. While others scramble to adjust their data policies, we’ve stayed consistent with one mission: protect players and build trust through transparency.
“As privacy concerns mount in youth sports, NSID remains committed to consistently innovating to maintain our leadership as the original pioneer in the space.”
That’s why we’re trusted by national organizations like the Jr. NBA, Ripken Baseball, NFL FLAG, and many more.
Ready to protect your players without compromising their privacy?
Visit our Youth Sports Age Verification page and discover the NSID difference.