Chambly : An Age Estimator to Help Retailers Check IDs ( Le journal de Chambly)

Since August 12, Tabagie Place Chambly has been among the first retailers to use Age Guardian, a Quebec-developed age estimation device designed to support employees during the age verification process. For its owner, Mathieu Belland, the goal is clear: to strengthen the measures in place to prevent the sale of age-restricted products to minors.

Installed near the checkout counter, Age Guardian estimates whether a customer appears to be over or under 25 years old, helping employees determine when an ID check may be appropriate. The device remains a decision-support tool: the cashier retains responsibility for deciding whether to request identification. This approach helps standardize practices and reduce the pressure employees may feel during these interactions.

The technology was also developed with a strong focus on privacy. No photos are stored, no personal data is collected, and the device operates without an Internet connection. Already deployed in several retail locations across Quebec and Ontario, Age Guardian offers retailers a new way to support their efforts to prevent sales to minors.

Read the full article and discover the experience of Mathieu Belland, owner of Tabagie Place Chambly: Chambly : un estimateur d'âge pour aider à carter - Le Journal de Chambly