Reddit: age checks in the UK
Age check required to view mature communities in the UK since 14 July 2025, via Persona selfie estimation or photo ID.
Age check for some content or features Social media Reddit, Inc. verified 6 September 2026
Facts panel
Everything here is what the service, its vendor or a regulator has published, with the source and the date we read it. No adjectives.
- Domain
- reddit.com
- Age check
- Age check for some content or features, first recorded 14 July 2025
- Triggered by
- adult or mature content
- Applies to
- all UK users
- Notes
- Prompted when opening an NSFW community. Apple-account path on iOS reported April 2026 with a verification loop.
- Methods
- Face scanPhoto ID
- Vendor
- Persona; in-house or unnamed for
- Last verified
- 6 September 2026
Methods and retention, one row per method
| Method | Provider | Retention, as published | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facial age estimation (face scan) | Persona |
“Persona deletes all of your personal information including any images within 3 days.” Quoted from help.withpersona.com; checked 6 September 2026. Held by the vendor. Period as stated: 3 days (Persona help, 2026); July 2025 press reported 7 days. Notes: Reddit receives only the estimated age. |
help.withpersona.com Primary source · checked 6 September 2026 |
| Photo ID | Persona |
“Persona deletes all of your personal information including any images within 3 days.” Quoted from help.withpersona.com; checked 6 September 2026. Held by the vendor. Period as stated: 3 days. Notes: Reddit receives date of birth from the ID. |
help.withpersona.com Primary source · checked 6 September 2026 |
What you will see
- What happens
- Opening a mature community prompts a Persona flow: take a selfie for age estimation, or upload a photo ID.
- How long it takes
- Not stated by the service.
- If you decline
- Mature communities stay hidden; the rest of Reddit works.
- Official help page
- support.reddithelp.com
Questions people ask about Reddit
Does Reddit require age verification in the UK?
For some content or features. As of 6 September 2026, Reddit asks UK users to complete an age check for adult or mature content, applying to all UK users. First recorded 14 July 2025.
Is the Reddit age check a face scan?
A face scan (facial age estimation) is one of 2 recorded methods: Facial age estimation (face scan) and Photo ID. Provider named: Persona. Which methods a service offers can change; the date each was checked is shown on the page.
What does Reddit keep after the age check?
Facial age estimation (face scan) via Persona: "Persona deletes all of your personal information including any images within 3 days." (help.withpersona.com; checked 6 September 2026). Photo ID via Persona: "Persona deletes all of your personal information including any images within 3 days." (help.withpersona.com; checked 6 September 2026).
What if the Reddit age check is not working?
This site records what the service publishes; it does not troubleshoot or offer workarounds. Reddit's own help page is https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/38028052452628. The service lists 2 methods, so a second method may be offered if one fails: Facial age estimation (face scan) and Photo ID. If you do not complete the check, the service states: Mature communities stay hidden; the rest of Reddit works.
Has a regulator taken action over Reddit's age checks?
ICO, 24 February 2026: No lawful basis for under-13 data, no DPIA before Jan 2025, self-declaration only until July 2025. (£14,470,000)
Regulator actions
- — ICO: Fine (£14,470,000). No lawful basis for under-13 data, no DPIA before Jan 2025, self-declaration only until July 2025. biometricupdate.com
Sources for this entry
- Persona help: Reddit vendor page
- Biometric Update press 15 July 2025
Changes to this record
- — seed: record created from research/01 and research/02 seed
Correct this entry
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