This summer, vending machines in Russia will begin verifying the age of buyers using biometrics. The system, developed with the participation of "Ak Bars Bank", will be the only way to sell 18+ products through vending machines after the ban on the sale of energy drinks to minors from March 2025. The first pilot will be launched in the vending machines of "FitVend", where energy drinks accounted for a significant share of revenue.
To purchase a product with age restrictions, you will need to pre-register your biometrics (face or voice) through the "Gosuslugi" application or a bank. When paying, the terminal camera will send a request to the Unified Biometric System (UBS), which will verify the age through state registers in 4 seconds. The technology requires the installation of cameras on existing machines, which will take 3–6 months. By the end of 2025, the service is planned to be implemented in self-service checkouts of stores for the sale of alcohol and tobacco.
The system solves a key business problem by allowing the legal sale of popular products without the involvement of staff.
Read materials on the topic:
Payment via biometrics appeared in the new version of the "SBPey" application
No passport, just your face: how will biometrics change the purchase of alcohol and tobacco?
