Tumblr: age checks in the UK
Mature-labelled content gated in the UK since 6 May 2026 via k-ID: ID, on-device face scan, bank (ConnectID) or AgeKey.
Age check for some content or features Social media Automattic 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
- tumblr.com
- Age check
- Age check for some content or features, first recorded 6 May 2026
- Triggered by
- adult or mature content
- Applies to
- all UK users
- Methods
- Face scanPhoto IDOpen banking
- Vendor
- k-ID; 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) | k-ID |
“Facial scan data never leaves your device.” Quoted from changes.tumblr.com, dated 6 May 2026; checked 6 September 2026. Held by the vendor. Period as stated: on-device. |
changes.tumblr.com, dated 6 May 2026 Primary source · checked 6 September 2026 |
| Photo ID | k-ID |
“Tumblr won't have access to the information you submit, just the final age-verification result; Documents are deleted after confirmation” Quoted from changes.tumblr.com, dated 6 May 2026; checked 6 September 2026. Held by the vendor. Period as stated: after confirmation. |
changes.tumblr.com, dated 6 May 2026 Primary source · checked 6 September 2026 |
| Open banking | k-ID (ConnectID) |
No published retention period found (checked 6 September 2026). |
changes.tumblr.com, dated 6 May 2026 Primary source · checked 6 September 2026 |
What you will see
- What happens
- Mature-labelled posts are hidden until you complete a k-ID check.
- How long it takes
- Not stated by the service.
- If you decline
- Mature content stays hidden.
- Official help page
- changes.tumblr.com
Questions people ask about Tumblr
Does Tumblr require age verification in the UK?
For some content or features. As of 6 September 2026, Tumblr asks UK users to complete an age check for adult or mature content, applying to all UK users. First recorded 6 May 2026.
Is the Tumblr age check a face scan?
A face scan (facial age estimation) is one of 3 recorded methods: Facial age estimation (face scan), Photo ID and Open banking. Providers named: k-ID and k-ID (ConnectID). Which methods a service offers can change; the date each was checked is shown on the page.
What does Tumblr keep after the age check?
Facial age estimation (face scan) via k-ID: "Facial scan data never leaves your device." (changes.tumblr.com, dated 6 May 2026; checked 6 September 2026). Photo ID via k-ID: "Tumblr won't have access to the information you submit, just the final age-verification result; Documents are deleted after confirmation" (changes.tumblr.com, dated 6 May 2026; checked 6 September 2026). Open banking via k-ID (ConnectID): No published retention period found (checked 6 September 2026).
What if the Tumblr age check is not working?
This site records what the service publishes; it does not troubleshoot or offer workarounds. Tumblr's own help page is https://changes.tumblr.com/post/815889531565916160. The service lists 3 methods, so a second method may be offered if one fails: Facial age estimation (face scan), Photo ID and Open banking. If you do not complete the check, the service states: Mature content stays hidden.
Regulator actions
No Ofcom or ICO action naming this service is recorded as of 6 September 2026.
Sources for this entry
- Tumblr changes post service policy 6 May 2026
Changes to this record
- — seed: record created from research/01 and research/02 seed
Correct this entry
If Tumblr's own page says something different, that page wins and we want to know. Send a correction with the URL. Corrections are answered within a week and logged above with their source. Nothing you send is published.