Reddit Age Verification UK: New Rules & Rollout

Age Verification Now Mandatory for UK Reddit Users

Users accessing Reddit from the United Kingdom are now obligated to confirm their age. This measure is being implemented to safeguard minors from exposure to unsuitable material.

This new stipulation arises from the U.K.’s Online Safety Act (OSA), which mandates platforms to enhance protections against children encountering damaging content. Examples include pornography and resources detailing self-harm.

Age Verification Process

Reddit is partnering with the third-party service Persona to facilitate age confirmation. Users will be asked to provide either a photograph of a government-issued ID or a selfie for verification purposes.

Reddit has clarified that it will not directly access these submitted images. Only the user’s verification status and date of birth will be retained.

Content Restrictions for Younger Users

A range of content will be restricted from view for individuals under the age of 18. This includes:

• Sexually explicit posts
• Content promoting or encouraging suicide
• Material relating to disordered eating
• Posts disseminating hate speech based on characteristics like race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, and gender
• Other forms of violent and harmful content

The aim is to create a safer online environment for younger individuals.

Privacy Concerns Raised

Concerns have been voiced regarding the potential security and privacy implications of private entities collecting and storing substantial quantities of personal identification documents.

Critics highlight the risks associated with maintaining such sensitive data.

Broader Industry Trend

Bluesky announced last week that it too will require age verification for U.K. users, responding to the updates within the OSA.

This indicates a wider trend of platforms adapting to the new regulatory landscape.