The Compliance Trap
Traditional age verification creates more problems than it solves
Data Breach Liability
Traditional ID verification stores millions of government IDs. One breach = $10,000 per violation × millions of IDs = catastrophic losses.
User Backlash
Pornhub blocked 7 states rather than collect IDs. Users refuse invasive verification. Conversion rates drop 30-50%.
Regulatory Pressure
15+ states have passed age verification laws. 30+ more pending. Federal legislation coming. Penalties up to $10,000 per violation.
How Zero-Knowledge Verification Works
Prove age without revealing identity. It's cryptographically impossible to breach what you never store.
User Verifies Once
User authenticates with their government-issued ID document using NFC or mobile driver's license.
Credential Stored Locally
Cryptographic credential issued to user's device. Stored locally, never on your servers.
Zero-Knowledge Proof
When verification needed, user generates cryptographic proof confirming they're 18+ without revealing exact age or identity.
Traditional Verification
User uploads ID photo + selfie
Full PII stored in database
Data breach = catastrophic liability
Zero-Knowledge Verification
User generates cryptographic proof
Zero PII touches your servers
Nothing to breach = zero liability
Why Arbiter
The only age verification solution built for privacy-conscious enterprises
Zero PII Storage
No personally identifiable information stored. Eliminate data breach liability entirely.
Multi-State Compliance
Meets requirements in all 15+ states automatically. Future-proof for new regulations.
10x Lower Cost
$0.10-0.50 per verification vs $2-5 with traditional providers. Massive cost savings at scale.
Higher Conversion
No invasive ID uploads means better user experience and minimal drop-off during verification.
Enterprise Security
Bank-grade cryptography. SOC 2 compliant. Built for platforms serving millions of users.
5-Minute Integration
Simple API integration, not months of engineering work. Get compliant in hours, not quarters.
Active State Laws (2025)
15+ states have passed age verification laws. Are you compliant?
| State | Law | Effective Date | Max Penalty | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | Act 440 | Jan 2023 | $10,000/violation | Active |
| Texas | HB 18 | Sep 2023 | $10,000/violation | Active |
| Utah | SB 287 | May 2023 | $2,500/violation | Active |
| Arkansas | SB 396 | Sep 2023 | $10,000 repeat | Active |
| California | AB 2273 | Jul 2024 | $7,500/child | Active |
| Ohio | HB 8 | Jan 2024 | Civil penalties | Active |
| Mississippi | HB 1126 | 2024 | $10,000/violation | Active |
| Virginia | HB 1400 | 2024 | $10,000/violation | Active |
| Montana | SB 544 | 2024 | $10,000/violation | Active |
| North Carolina | HB 755 | 2024 | $10,000/violation | Active |
| Florida | HB 3 | 2024 | $10,000/violation | Active |
Louisiana
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Compare Your Options
Geo-blocking, traditional ID upload, or zero-knowledge? The choice is clear.
| Feature | Geo-Blocking(Pornhub) | Traditional ID Upload(Jumio, Yoti) | Zero-Knowledge(Arbiter) |
|---|---|---|---|
| User Data Stored | None | Full PII + ID Photos | Zero PII |
| Data Breach Risk | None | Critical - millions of IDs | None |
| Cost per Verification | $0 | $2-5 | $0.10-0.50 |
| User Privacy | Complete (no access) | Fully compromised | Fully preserved |
| Conversion Impact | 100% loss | -30-50% drop-off | Minimal impact |
| State Compliance | N/A (blocked) | Compliant | Compliant |
| Revenue Impact | Lost entirely | Reduced significantly | Maintained |
| User Trust | Frustrated users | Low - privacy concerns | High - privacy first |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this legally compliant with state laws?
Yes. Zero-knowledge verification meets the 'reasonable age verification' standard required by all state laws. You receive cryptographic confirmation of age without storing PII, satisfying both compliance and privacy requirements.
How is this different from traditional ID verification?
Traditional services (Jumio, Yoti) require users to upload ID photos and store PII in databases. Arbiter uses zero-knowledge proofs—users prove they're 18+ without revealing their actual birthdate or identity. No PII ever touches your servers.
What happens if more states pass laws?
Our system automatically complies with new state requirements. You don't need to update anything—we handle regulatory changes so you can focus on your business.