Latest news with #BlueCheck
Business Upturn
29-05-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
BlueCheck Expands with Enformion in Race to Provide Age Verification to Half of America by 2026
AUSTIN, TX & SACRAMENTO, CA -, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BlueCheck, the U.S. leader in privacy-first age verification, has partnered with Enformion to supercharge its real-time decision engine as demand accelerates nationwide. BlueCheck now protects more than $1 billion in annual online spend across digital properties that collectively serve billions of user sessions monthly—all while maintaining industry-leading 99.5% approval accuracy and 95%+ fully-automated pass rates. With double-digit quarterly growth while maintaining profitability, BlueCheck is on track to verify half of all U.S. adults by 2026. BlueCheck partners with Enformion Massive Market Opportunity Since 2024, more than a dozen U.S. states have enacted or are actively debating comprehensive age-verification requirements, creating an evolving regulatory landscape that's driving platforms and merchants toward proven, low-friction solutions. Why This Partnership Matters Accuracy at scale — Enformion's comprehensive identity graph delivers richer data signals that enhance BlueCheck's industry-leading 99.5% accuracy without adding user friction. Proven market leader — BlueCheck has earned recognition as 'Top Identity Verification Software' for eight consecutive quarters while processing billions in protected transactions. Industry standard-setter — BlueCheck sits on the Age Verification Providers Association board and actively shapes IEEE P2089 (Age-Appropriate Digital Services) and P2089.1 (Age Assurance & Parental Consent) standards. Policy influence — BlueCheck executives regularly engage with attorneys general, lawmakers, trade associations, and lobbying groups while presenting at premier forums including Stanford's Internet Observatory and Liminal's Age Assurance Summit. Executive Commentary Alex Zeig, CEO, BlueCheck: 'We're building effortless trust—verifying legitimate adults instantly while protecting their privacy. Enformion's data depth lets us enhance our accuracy advantage and fuel the explosive growth this market demands.' Chris Lundquist, CEO, Enformion: 'Our partnership with BlueCheck demonstrates how leading-edge innovators can leverage Enformion's identity data to power secure, compliant, and privacy-forward digital experiences. BlueCheck's expertise in age verification, combined with our robust identity intelligence, creates a powerful solution at a time when fraud prevention and consumer protection are more critical than ever.' About BlueCheck Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Austin, BlueCheck delivers real-time, API-driven age verification for hundreds of major online platforms. Its privacy-first architecture and 99.5% approval rate protect billions in online transactions while maximizing user conversion rates. About Enformion Enformion is a leading identity data and analytics platform that powers consumer and business identity verification, sales and marketing intelligence, investigations, and collections. Harnessing a 40+ year historical consumer and business identity graph that covers over 98% of the US population, the platform forms the foundational data layer for understanding the individual and business behind every identity and marketing interaction. Media Contacts BlueCheck — [email protected] Enformion — [email protected] BlueCheck, Top Performer, Spring 2025 Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
Fashion Network
16-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
John Lewis x PS Paul Smith launch makes most of surging demand for premium men's tailoring
has made a big capture in its growing portfolio of third-party brands, launching an exclusive PS Paul Smith tailoring collection. It arrives at the UK department store group just in time for the peak (April-June) occasionwear period and marks the first time PS Paul Smith has launched an exclusive tailoring capsule with a partner. The exclusive line features a classic tailored-fit suit available in six fabrics, alongside seven unique shirts. Each piece 'uses timeless fabrics in a traditional colour palette, updated with vibrant and characterful details synonymous with Paul Smith's creativity and individuality'. It features six classic colourways (Navy Birdseye, Blue Check, Grey Check, Navy Check, Grey and Light Blue) all featuring a navy and turquoise lining 'in a nod to Paul Smith's signature flair'. The collection's available in selected John Lewis stores and online with prices starting from £125 for a shirt, £195 for suit trousers, and £400 for a suit jacket. By partnering with Paul Smith, John Lewis said 'it is able to expand its premium tailoring offer, an area that is fast growing within Menswear'. Beth Pettet, head of Menswear at John Lewis, added: 'Tailoring has long been a reason to come to John Lewis; in the past year we've seen sales of men's tailoring increase more than 20%. 'The new PS Paul Smith capsule encapsulates the essence of what men are looking for. It's a collection that caters for everyone, from those looking for an accessibly priced everyday suit to someone wanting to invest in something special. The capsule unites both brand's commitment to offering exceptional quality menswear to a wide, yet discerning customer.'
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Elon Musk's Twitter continues to take payments for Blue Check marks from terrorists banned in the US, including Hezbollah's founder and Houthi members: Report
More than a year after initial warnings, Elon Musk's social media platform Twitter continues to accept payments for premium subscription accounts, including the associated blue check marks , from terrorist organizations and other entities under US sanctions, says a report in New York Times. The report cites a new report by the Tech Transparency Project , a nonprofit focused on technology company accountability, which found that Twitter has continued to receive payments from accounts apparently linked to leaders within Hezbollah, Houthi officials, and militia leaders in Syria and Iraq. These subscriptions, costing $8 monthly, provide users with a blue check mark – previously reserved for notable figures – along with benefits such as enhanced algorithm placement, post editing capabilities, and the ability to share longer videos. The NYT report notes that following a previous report by the Tech Transparency Project last year, which identified 28 sanctioned entities with paid Blue Check marks, Twitter removed the badges from some accounts and suspended others. However, within a month, several of these accounts reportedly repurchased the badges and have maintained them since. More than 200 terrorists accounts with Blue Check marks The report highlights the Tech Transparency Project's finding that over 200 accounts connected to terrorist groups and other sanctioned entities have acquired Blue Check marks. Katie Paul, the director of the organization, told the New York Times, "They rely on the premium services for the amplification of long propaganda posts and extended videos. They are not just subscribing for the blue check notoriety, they are subscribing for the premium services." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like China Power: Washington's loss, Beijing's gain as Chinese students shun the US for SE Asia? CNA Read More Undo The report points out that Mr. Musk, currently serving as a special adviser to President Trump, recently criticized the Treasury Department for alleged deficiencies in tracking and preventing payments to terrorist groups. However, during a February appearance with President Trump, Mr. Musk stated that controls to prevent payments to such groups and fraudsters were "in place at any company." According to The New York Times, neither Twitter nor the Treasury Department responded to requests for comment on the Tech Transparency Project's findings. The report recalls that after Mr. Musk's acquisition of X in 2022, significant changes were implemented, including the reinstatement of numerous previously banned accounts and substantial staff reductions. The old verification system, which involved employee verification of prominent users, was also replaced with the current subscription model. The report mentions that while Twitter's policies prohibit terrorist groups from purchasing Blue Check marks, it remains unclear how the organizations and individuals identified in the report circumvented these rules to obtain premium status. The lack of identity verification under the new system also raises the possibility that some of the flagged accounts could belong to impersonators. How Hezbollah founder and Houthis are using Twitter to raise funds However, the report notes that some of these accounts were labeled "ID verified," a process requiring the submission of a selfie and identification. It highlights the case of Subhi Tufayli, a founder and former secretary general of Hezbollah, who reportedly has an "ID verified" account with over 40,700 followers. Mr. Tufayli has been on the Treasury Department's sanctions list since 1995, and his account, verified in October 2023, frequently shares lengthy videos of his sermons. The New York Times reports that an account associated with the Houthi rebel group in Yemen previously had a Blue Check mark but was removed by Twitter following the Tech Transparency Project's initial report last year. The report details how an account under the name Hussain al-Ezzi, identified by the Tech Transparency Project as a deputy foreign minister for the Houthis, publicly requested Mr. Musk to reinstate the group's verification or at least their subscriptions. IT states that the latest Tech Transparency Project report found that at least five senior Houthi officials subsequently appeared to pay for Blue Check marks on Twitter, with their accounts collectively having over 820,000 followers. It further said that some of the identified accounts have used Twitter to solicit funds through tipping and subscription features or by directing users to cryptocurrency wallets. Quoting Ms Paul, The New York Times said, "There is clear evidence of these groups profiting and fund-raising through X. They are sanctioned for a reason, and the fact that somebody who has such influence and power in the federal government is at the same time profiting from these designated terrorist groups and individuals is extremely concerning."
