Reddit will now be verifying the ages of users in the United Kingdom before allowing access to content marked as mature. This is Reddit’s way of following the new legal requirements under the UK’s Online Safety Act.
The law requires online platforms to make sure children cannot see material that might harm their mental health or safety. To do this, Reddit now checks if someone is over 18 before letting them view certain posts.
Reddit won’t be asking for real names, still. The platform repeated that it was built around anonymous accounts, and this change does not take that away.
How Does The Age Verification Process Work?
Reddit is working with a third-party company called Persona to check someone’s age. Persona asks the user to upload a selfie or a photo of a government-issued ID. Reddit does not see these photos.
When a person is verified, Reddit would store this info that the age and the fact that the account has passed the check. This means the user won’t have to go through the same process again every time they want to access restricted content.
Persona has said it will delete any image within 7 days. It will also not collect Reddit browsing data, like which subreddits someone visits.
Birth dates will never be shown to other users or advertisers. The only purpose is to make sure users are seeing age appropriate content.
On their information page, Reddit explained, “If you are based in a location where regulations require a minimum age to access restricted content, Reddit will ask you to enter your birthdate when attempting to access this content. You then will be asked to verify your birthdate through a third-party identity verification provider (such as Persona). This is often achieved by sending a photo of a government ID or taking a selfie.
“Reddit will not have access to this photographic information. Once you are verified as above the minimum age required by law, you’ll be able to access the restricted content. If your verification isn’t successful, you’ll have multiple opportunities to resubmit your information.”
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What kind Of Content Will Be Blocked From Kids?
Users who are under the age of 18 will not be allowed to view content that contains or encourages self-harm, eating disorders, or adult material.
Posts that spread hate or abuse based on protected traits such as race, gender, or religion are also blocked.
Reddit is also blocking violent content, including serious harm to people, animals, or even fictional characters.
Any post that promotes dangerous activities, use of harmful substances, or bullying will be blocked. Reddit will also restrict posts that make depression or hopelessness seem appealing.
Will Reddit Have This In Countries Outside The UK?
So currently, this new age check system applies only to those in the United Kingdom. Reddit said that it may need to follow similar rules in other countries later, depending on changes in the law.
Outside the UK, users can still add their birth date to help adjust their experience. This is optional unless the law in their country requires it.
Birth dates are used to control what kinds of ads or content a user might see, based on age. Reddit says this is done without showing that information to anyone else.
The company did make mention that this will eventually be a feature in other places, but it will still protect people’s privacy and avoid collecting more information than needed.
Users are still able to post, comment, and vote using anonymous usernames as before. On their verified post, their exact words were, “As laws change, we may need to collect and/or verify age in places other than the UK. Accordingly, we are also introducing globally an option for you to provide your birthdate to optimize your Reddit experience, for example to help ensure that content and ads are age-appropriate. This is optional, and you won’t be required to provide it unless you live in a place (like the UK) where we are required to ask for it. And, again, your birthdate is never visible to other users or advertisers.”
