New Rules Require Users to Submit ID or Selfie via Persona to Access Age-Restricted Content
New Age Verification Requirement
Reddit is now requiring users in the United Kingdom to verify their age in response to the country’s Online Safety Act (OSA)—a sweeping regulation designed to limit children’s exposure to harmful online content.
- Applies to all UK-based Reddit users.
- Age verification will block users under 18 from viewing explicit or dangerous content.
The OSA mandates stricter controls for tech platforms to protect minors from material such as:
- Pornography
- Self-harm promotion
- Disordered eating content
- Hate speech and violent material
How It Works
Reddit has partnered with Persona, a third-party verification provider, to handle the process. Users must submit:
- A government-issued ID, or
- A real-time selfie for identity confirmation
Reddit emphasized it will not store personal images. Instead, it will only retain a user’s verification status and date of birth.
- Persona will handle all sensitive data processing.
- Verification is a one-time process tied to account access in the UK.
Privacy and Security Concerns
While Reddit claims it won’t access or store personal documents, critics continue to raise alarms about:
- Data privacy risks from third-party verification firms
- Potential for identity theft or misuse of sensitive information
- Lack of transparency around long-term data retention and system breaches
These concerns are especially relevant as more platforms implement similar verification schemes.
- Just last week, Bluesky confirmed it will also enforce age verification in the UK due to OSA rules.
- Others, including TikTok and Pornhub, are facing increasing regulatory pressure to follow suit.
Content That Will Be Restricted
Users under 18 will now be automatically restricted from accessing categories of content that include:
- Sexually explicit posts
- Encouragement of suicide or self-harm
- Pro-eating disorder material
- Hate speech based on race, gender, religion, orientation, or disability
- Violence-promoting content
Reddit says these restrictions aim to make the platform safer and more compliant with UK child safety laws, but the move adds Reddit to a growing list of tech companies navigating the balance between safety, compliance, and user privacy.
