Quick, private, secure — everything you need to know about age verification.
Age Verification and Age Estimation are technologies that allow you to prove your age online while keeping your identity private. (This is sometimes called Age Assurance, including both options.)
New UK rules require adult websites to make sure visitors are 18 or older, protecting young people online.
No. You’ll use a trusted independent provider to confirm your age — not share personal data with the website.
You can choose from several quick options like scanning an ID, open banking, a credit card check, a selfie, or email verification.
Yes. After confirming your age, the provider deletes any personal data.
Ofcom and the Information Commissioner’s Office oversee the whole process to ensure privacy and security.
No.
Once you verify your age, you may be able to save your proof securely for future use across different sites.
No.
Age verification is free for users.
No.
Age verification providers only check your age — they do not track, record, or share the websites you visit.
No.
You won't upload your ID to an adult website.
If you choose an ID-based check, it’s handled securely by the independent provider, and then deleted.
Yes.
You’ll usually have a choice — so you can pick the method you’re most comfortable with, whether it’s using ID, a selfie, a bank check, or your email provider, and then deleted.
You don’t have to.
There are several ways to verify your age — including methods that don’t require showing any ID. deleted.
The UK's independent regulators, Ofcom and the Information Commissioner’s Office, are overseeing the process to make sure your rights are protected.
They both have more information on their websites:
Information Commissioner’s Office
No.
The system only checks your age, not your identity.
Your name and personal details are not shared with adult websites.
They both have more information on their websites:
Information Commissioner’s Office
Most verifications take less than a minute to complete. You usually only need to do this when you first access a site, unless you decline to accept cookies or use incognito browsing. If you open an account, then that can also remember you've proven your age. You may be asked to re-confirm it is still you accessing the site from time-to-time.
It’s deleted.
The provider only keeps the information long enough to confirm your age, then removes it securely.
Yes.
Some providers offer secure reusable, interoperable proofs, so you won’t need to verify again for every site.
We have answered a lot of questions on our FAQ page but if you cannot find the answer, please submit your question here and we will add a response on that page in the next few days.