Reddit starts verifying ages of UK users to comply with child-safety law

Reddit has officially begun the process of age verification for its users in the UK, a move aimed at conforming to the nation's Online Safety Act. This new measure will restrict access to certain adult content, ensuring that underage users are protected. In a statement, Reddit emphasized that users should not need to disclose personal information to engage in valuable discussions. However, to adhere to legal requirements, the platform will implement age verification protocols that prioritize user privacy. "Using Reddit has never required revealing your real-world identity, and these updates maintain that standard," the company explained. To facilitate this verification, Reddit has partnered with Persona, a firm specializing in identity verification. Users will be required to provide either a selfie or a government-issued ID for this process. It's worth noting that Reddit itself will not have access to these uploaded images; the platform will only store verification status along with the provided birthdate for future reference. Persona has committed to safeguarding user privacy, promising that any uploaded images will not be retained for more than seven days, and they will not access any Reddit user data, including the subreddits accessed by users. Additionally, birthdates entered during the verification process will remain hidden from other users and advertisers and will solely be used to enhance safety and age-appropriate experiences on the platform. For users under 18, Reddit has outlined specific types of content that will be restricted. This includes sexually explicit material, content promoting self-harm or eating disorders, abusive or hateful speech, and any depiction of serious violence. Furthermore, they will limit content that encourages dangerous challenges, substance abuse, body shaming, or romanticizes feelings of despair. In response to Reddit's announcement, the UK communications regulator Ofcom reiterated the importance of compliance with the established deadline of July 25, underscoring the significance of these regulations in protecting younger audiences online.