Spotify introduces age checks for restricted content in the UK
Following the UK government’s Online Safety Act, Spotify has begun enforcing age checks on its platform.
Spotify has introduced a new age verification process for users in the UK. It’s part of a wider push to make the internet safer, especially for younger audiences. While streaming music might seem harmless on the surface, certain content on Spotify is now being treated more carefully under updated online safety laws.
From now on, Spotify will ask users to prove their age before they can access content marked as mature. This includes music videos labelled as 18+ by rightsholders. If users can’t confirm they’re old enough, they may be blocked from viewing that content – or even lose access to their account entirely.
These new checks are linked to the UK’s Online Safety Act, which recently came into effect. The law requires online services to put age restrictions in place for material that could be harmful to young people. While this mostly applies to adult websites and social platforms, it also includes music streaming platforms like Spotify.
Spotify explains on its website that age verification is needed to “access some Spotify content and features, like Music videos that are labeled as 18+ by rightsholders”. The company adds: “You cannot use Spotify if you don’t meet the minimum age requirements for the market you’re in,” and warns: “If you cannot confirm you’re old enough to use Spotify, your account will be deactivated and eventually deleted.”
The Independent reports that to carry out these checks, Spotify has partnered with Yoti, a UK-based digital identity company. Yoti uses facial recognition technology to estimate a person’s age by having them look into their phone camera. Spotify and Yoti both say that this data is kept secure and deleted after the check is complete.
If the scan doesn’t work, or suggests a user is too young, they’ll have the option to upload a valid form of ID instead. This can be done through their Spotify account settings.
The age verification policy was first shared some time ago, but it’s only recently started making headlines again. That’s because the deadline for platforms to follow the new rules under the Online Safety Act has now passed, and services that don’t comply could face serious penalties.
The move has sparked discussion about online privacy and how platforms handle sensitive data like facial scans. But for now, age checks are becoming the new normal – even on platforms where you might not expect them.