The UK’s age verification method takes effect on July 25; host porn sites and apps must install methods to verify the age of visitors. Pornhub notes that it will comply with the law – unlikely source: dating apps.
Users connecting to the app Feeld may have noticed the pop-up statement: “Age verification is coming.”
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“Head up: To comply with local laws, age verification will soon be required to access your account.”
Age verification pop-up in Feeld app.
Image source: Screenshot: Feeld/Mashable
In the next few weeks, UK Feeld users will be prompted to verify their age. Feeld told Mashable that it is using Yoti, a third-party provider, online identity platform Yoti, in the UK to comply with the latest addition to the Online Security Act 2023. Users may be asked to confirm their age by phone number or based on a selfie’s age estimate. The app says Feeld does not store personal data, such as photos or dates of birth.
Feeld will launch this in the UK and evaluate it based on regional needs and member needs, with additional promotions in the US and EU.
But what about other applications? Mashable extends three popular options (Tinder, Bumble and Hinge) to see how they deal with UK law.
Which dating apps will increase age verification?
Users will need to upload at least one clear face photo.
Credit: Tinder/MashableEdit
Tinder
Tinder also plans to launch age verification in the UK late this month to comply with the law. According to the app, users will need to upload at least one clear face photo and they will use automation to estimate their age.
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If Tinder cannot confirm its age, the account may be “temporarily restricted”. [Tinder] Complete a manual review or require further verification, such as ID checking.
This month, Tinder began asking new California users to verify their identity through facial recognition scans. Tinder has provided photo and video verification over the years, and last year it started requiring ID to check if users need to verify badges on their profile.
Bumblebee
A bold spokesperson told Mashable that the app already has measures to prevent minors from accessing the app.
“We remain committed to complying with the Online Security Act by implementing strict age verification, deleting users of minors and maintaining a zero-tolerance policy regarding child sexual exploitation,” the spokesperson said. “To this end, we work with the Global Security Alliance and use proactive moderation to disengage minors from the application and ensure a safe online environment.”
Bumble has conducted selfie verification for a long time and recently added ID verification.
hinge
A Hinge spokesperson told Mashable that the app collects dates of birth, phone numbers, photos, BIOS and other information that can be used to verify age. It takes action against accounts that violate its Terms of Service or Membership Principles, and Hinge has automated and human content hosts to disengage minors from the app.
To comply with UK requirements, new and existing UK hinge users will scan clear photos of their faces to confirm that the user is at least 18 years old. Once the age check is completed, the user’s photos will be kept for up to three months, based on compliance with UK law on Hinge’s website. After that, keep photos and age to ensure results for one year.
For all you need to know about the UK age verification laws, Mashable can provide you with coverage.
