Reddit has rolled out a mandatory age verification system for users in the United Kingdom, requiring government ID or facial scans to access mature content. The move, effective immediately, responds to the UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA), which demands “highly effective age assurance” beyond simple checkboxes. With a July 25 compliance deadline, platforms face fines up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue for violations.
How Verification Works
UK users attempting to view restricted content must now submit proof of age via third-party provider Persona. The process involves uploading a photo of a government-issued ID (like a passport) or taking a live selfie. Reddit emphasizes it “will not have access to these images,” storing only verification status and birthdates to prevent repeated checks. Persona deletes biometric data within seven days and cannot access users’ Reddit activity or subreddit history.
Restricted content includes sexually explicit material, self-harm or eating disorder promotion, hate speech, realistic violence, dangerous stunts, substance misuse encouragement, and content “romanticizing depression or hopelessness”.
The Regulatory Backdrop
The OSA, enacted in October 2023, mandates that platforms prevent children from encountering harmful content. Ofcom, the law’s enforcer, requires “robust age checks” for services likely accessed by minors. Reddit’s UK user base grew 47% year-on-year in 2024, placing it firmly within scope.
Non-compliance penalties are severe: fines up to £18 million or 10% of qualifying global revenue, whichever is higher. Ofcom can also seek court orders to restrict UK access to non-compliant platforms. Other services, like Bluesky, have introduced similar verifications, signaling an industry-wide adaptation.
Privacy Tensions and Global Implications
Digital rights advocates warn that centralized identity databases create hacking targets. “Requiring IDs normalizes surveillance,” said Alex Walker of Big Brother Watch. “A data breach could expose millions’ biometric details.” Reddit counters that Persona’s limited data retention and isolation from browsing activity mitigate risks.
Ofcom Group Director Oliver Griffiths acknowledged limitations to the BBC: “Dedicated teenagers might bypass this, much like underage drinking. But it prevents accidental exposure to harmful material”.
Globally, Reddit added an optional birthdate field for all users, hinting at broader rollouts. “As laws change, we may need to verify age elsewhere,” its announcement noted. This aligns with trends like Texas’ upheld porn age-gating law, though critics argue such measures deter free expression.
The Road Ahead
With the July 25 deadline imminent, Ofcom expects “other companies to follow suit or face enforcement.” Smaller platforms with fewer resources may struggle, particularly those lacking existing moderation infrastructure. Reddit’s solution balances legal compliance with its ethos of anonymity, as verified ages remain hidden from advertisers and other users.
As global regulators tighten child safety rules, Reddit’s framework could become a template. Yet the tension between protection and privacy persists. “Society shields children from unsuitable products offline,” Ofcom stated. “The same principle must apply online”.
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