TruSources Revolutionizes Age Verification with On-Device Technology Preserving User Privacy at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
In the digital age, identity verification has become a common practice for accessing websites, apps, or purchasing certain goods, often requiring the sharing of government-issued IDs and selfies to confirm one’s identity. The increasing enactment of age verification laws worldwide, including the US, UK, Australia, among others, has further expanded this sector, with companies specializing in ID checks granting access to “adult” content online.
However, concerns around privacy and security persist as users’ sensitive information may be at risk of monetization, loss, or breaches. A new startup, TruSources, aims to address these concerns by performing age verification and identity checks directly on a user’s device, keeping sensitive data within the phone. The company will showcase its innovative technology at an upcoming event in October 2025.
Sanjay Krishnamurthy, founder and CTO of TruSources, previously worked on WhatsApp’s core encryption engine. He developed this technology primarily to combat scams that frequently exploit victims by soliciting sensitive information for financial gain.
TruSources has created a deepfake detection app and a “know your customer” (KYC) app capable of verifying user identity on-device in just a few seconds. During the verification process, none of the user’s data is uploaded to TruSources’ servers, unlike most age and identity checking companies. Instead, the technology leverages a custom machine learning model built into its apps, which identifies patterns from an existing dataset to detect deepfakes and false identity cards.
This technology can be integrated with various apps and websites subject to age verification laws, as well as corporate single-sign-on services for easier access to multiple work applications. The technology also generates a QR code for real-world usage, such as proving age to enter bars without physical identity documents.
Krishnamurthy explains that his technology helps companies comply with KYC rules while protecting them from collecting people’s government-issued identity documents and preserving users’ privacy. He notes the challenges posed by countries requiring all apps to verify user ages, as they struggle to manage IDs from various regions due to legal complexities.
TruSources is still in its early stages but stands out among a select few startups addressing identity checks and age verification while prioritizing user privacy and security. To learn more about TruSources and other promising startups, attend an upcoming event in San Francisco in October 2025. More details on tickets and pricing are available online.
