Expansion of 'Mobile Driver's License' Adoption... Convenience Store Usage A to Z

When Paying at Convenience Stores, Showing Personal ID Barcode in 'PASS' App
Scanner Recognizes Driver's License Information
App Download and Info Registration Required in Advance
Screen Captures Containing Personal Data Are Not Allowed

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] The convenience store industry is rushing to introduce an adult verification system using the mobile driver's license system. This is because it can reduce the burden of distinguishing adult customers, which has long been a headache for convenience store owners and part-time workers.

According to the industry on the 29th, convenience store CU launched the mobile driver's license verification service for the first time in the industry on the 22nd. When paying at the convenience store, driver's license information is retrieved through the 'PASS' application (app) of the three mobile carriers. CU linked the POS system with the automatic driver's license information verification system of the National Police Agency and the Road Traffic Authority. This is the first case of practical application nine months after the Ministry of Science and ICT temporarily approved the mobile driver's license through a regulatory sandbox review in September last year.

How to use the mobile driver's license when paying at a convenience store

The method used at the checkout is simple. When purchasing products prohibited for minors such as alcohol or cigarettes, open the PASS app, tap 'Mobile Driver's License Verification' at the top right of the screen, and then show the personal identification barcode or QR code displayed on the screen. At this time, the driver's license photo is also displayed in the center of the screen to compare with the actual user. After the convenience store staff scans the product barcodes with the scanner attached to the POS, they scan the barcode or QR code, and the POS screen immediately displays the message 'Adult confirmed.' Two biometric authentications (fingerprints) are required: once when the app is first launched and once when the mobile driver's license verification screen is activated. The barcode screen remains active for 30 seconds.

Possibility of personal information theft through app screen capture

The PASS app uses a non-face-to-face method by taking a photo of the driver's license to recognize and register it. Registration takes about one minute. When the driver's license is photographed, related information such as alphabets and the issuance date of the driver's license is automatically saved. Since the resident registration number is not collected, it cannot be used at banks or government offices. While general notices or guides on the PASS app can be screen-captured on smartphones, screen capture is prohibited in principle on the mobile driver's license verification screen containing personal information for 'theft prevention' purposes.

On-site reactions and expected effects at convenience stores

The convenience store industry welcomes the introduction of the system. They have been struggling to deal with minors who deceive their identity to purchase tobacco and alcoholic beverages, which are prohibited for sale to minors. In particular, dissatisfaction was high because under current law, even if the sale was accidental, store owners could not avoid penalties such as business suspension if caught selling. Yujeonghun (pseudonym), a male part-time worker in his early 20s working near Hapjeong Station CU, said, "It is difficult to distinguish those who just turned adults, such as those born in 2001, from minors, so sometimes customers get angry or argue with staff when asked for ID." He added, "When wearing masks, we ask customers to show their faces to compare with the resident registration card photo, but dealing with hundreds of customers a day makes it difficult to request this every time."

Necessity of introducing an adult verification system

In fact, the purchase of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes by minors is a major risk factor in convenience stores. Besides alcohol and tobacco, products prohibited for minors in convenience stores include butane gas and some uniquely formulated condoms. According to the Youth Protection Act, convenience store owners were inevitably subject to business suspension if they sold cigarettes or alcohol to minors born in 2002 or later (under 19 years old), even if deceived by fake IDs. However, with the recent passage of the Ministry of Economy and Finance's amendment to the 'Tobacco Business Act Enforcement Rules,' starting next month, tobacco retailers who are caught selling cigarettes to minors through forged or altered IDs, identity theft, assault, or threats may be exempt from business suspension if there is no intent or mitigating circumstances recognized through 'non-prosecution disposition' or 'suspended sentence.' This reflects the actual situation.

Possibility of expanded adoption

Not only CU but also GS25 has officially introduced the system. GS25 introduced the service on the 24th after a month and a half of system checks. Major convenience store chains such as Emart24 and Seven Eleven are also internally reviewing the feasibility of adoption. Especially, older franchise owners are expected to expand usage within convenience stores because, unlike other services, they only need to scan the barcode with a scanner. From the consumer's perspective, it becomes easy to verify identity simply by carrying a smartphone without needing to bring a physical resident registration card or driver's license. Future expansion to entertainment facilities such as karaoke rooms and clubs is also being considered.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.