Reddit rolls out age verification in the UK to comply with new rules

In a significant move to align with the U.K.'s Online Safety Act (OSA), Reddit has introduced mandatory age verification for its users in the United Kingdom. This initiative aims to shield younger audiences from harmful content, including pornography and materials that promote self-harm. To verify their age, users will utilize the third-party service Persona, which requires them to present a government-issued ID or take a selfie. Reddit has assured users that it will not store these images, retaining only the verification status and the user's date of birth. Content deemed inappropriate for users under 18 will be restricted, including sexually explicit material, posts that encourage suicidal behavior or disordered eating, and any content promoting hate based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. This move comes amidst ongoing concerns from critics regarding the potential security and privacy risks associated with private companies managing sensitive identity documents. Additionally, Bluesky has recently announced similar age verification measures for its UK users in response to the updated regulations under the OSA.