Spotify Rolls Out Facial Age Verification for UK Users Accessing Explicit Content
Spotify is introducing new age verification measures for users in the UK who attempt to access explicit content on the platform. The streaming giant has partnered with digital identity firm Yoti to implement facial scanning technology, which will estimate a user’s age based on a photo. If the scan fails to accurately determine age, users can submit an official ID for manual verification.
This move comes as part of broader compliance with the UK’s Online Safety Act, which has prompted several tech platforms to enforce stricter age checks. If a user is found to be under 13—the minimum age requirement for Spotify—their account may be deactivated and eventually deleted. The company warns that failure to confirm age eligibility will result in account termination.
Spotify is not alone in adopting these measures. Other platforms, including Reddit, Bluesky, Microsoft’s Xbox, and adult content providers, have also introduced age verification systems in response to UK regulations. Some services apply these checks only within the UK, while others have rolled them out globally.
Facial recognition for age verification has faced criticism over accuracy concerns. To mitigate errors, Spotify allows users to bypass the scan by submitting ID documentation. However, the broader push for digital age checks raises privacy and accessibility questions, particularly as more platforms adopt similar requirements.
The UK’s regulatory landscape continues to shape how tech companies handle age-restricted content, with facial verification emerging as a common—though imperfect—solution. As enforcement expands, users may encounter more frequent prompts to confirm their age across various online services.
