Spotify rolls out facial recognition age checks, threatens account deletion for noncompliance

• Spotify is requiring U.K. users to complete an age verification process via the Yoti app, using facial recognition and ID checks or risk account deletion within 90 days.
• The move follows the full implementation of the U.K.’s Online Safety Act, which mandates strict age checks on platforms hosting adult or harmful content, with heavy penalties for noncompliance.
• Spotify’s system activates primarily when users attempt to access age-restricted content, such as 18+ music videos, aligning with its updated content access policy.
• Other tech platforms, including Reddit, Bluesky, Pornhub and X (formerly Twitter), have introduced similar age verification measures using government ID, facial scans or credit card authentication.
• Those under 18 or unwilling to verify their age are not banned outright but face restricted access to features like direct messaging or adult content across various platforms.

Spotify has begun warning users that they risk losing access to their accounts unless they complete a new age verification process, following the recent enactment of the United Kingdom’s Online Safety Act (OSA).

OSA, which came into full force this July, mandates that digital platforms enforce strict age checks and limit minors’ access to content deemed harmful, including pornography, graphic violence and other adult material. Companies that fail to comply face penalties, including fines of up to £18 million ($24 million) or 10 percent of their global revenue, and in extreme cases, could be cut off from advertisers, payment processors or even blocked by U.K. internet providers.

In response, Spotify has begun prompting users to verify their age through a third-party app, Yoti, which uses facial scanning to estimate age and requests official identification if the software detects someone who may be underage. If it detects someone who appears underage, Spotify will prompt the user to provide government-issued identification.

A growing number of users have reported receiving in-app notifications in recent days, instructing them to complete this verification process. If a user fails to do so within 90 days, their Spotify account will be “deactivated and eventually deleted.” (Related: U.K. government to launch digital ID wallet this summer.)

“You cannot use Spotify if you don’t meet the minimum age requirements for the market you’re in,” the updated policy page of Spotify read. The minimum age to create a Spotify account remains 13 in most countries.

According to its updated policy page, the new age verification system will be selectively triggered, especially when a user attempts to access content flagged as adult-only. For example, attempting to play an 18+ rated music video may prompt a facial scan to confirm the user’s eligibility.

“Some users will now have to confirm their age by going through an age assurance process,” Spotify stated.

Other tech platforms also tighten age checks across U.K.

A growing list of tech companies has introduced similar measures in recent months.

For instance, Reddit users in the U.K. are now required to verify their age using either a government-issued ID or facial recognition technology to access content flagged as inappropriate for minors. Reddit, known for its semi-anonymous communities, began implementing these changes on July 14 through a partnership with identity verification firm Persona. U.K. users must now submit a government ID or selfie to prove their age, with failure to comply resulting in restricted access to much of the platform, regardless of actual age.

Bluesky made a similar announcement in a July 10 blog post titled “Working with the U.K. Government to Protect Children Online.” Bluesky announced that U.K.-based users will soon be required to verify their age using Kid Web Services (KWS), a tool developed by Epic Games for age verification and parental controls.

Users can choose from various verification methods, including facial scanning, government-issued ID upload or credit card authentication. While those under 18 or who opt not to verify their age will not be banned, they will face restrictions such as blocked access to adult content and the disabling of features like direct messaging.

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Sources include:

ReclaimTheNet.org 1

ReclaimTheNet.org 2

Bsky.social

Brighteon.com