X (Twitter) and Grok: age checks in the UK
Sensitive media is gated in the UK since 25 July 2025. Methods include facial estimation, photo ID, email estimation and network inference; manual checks reported as Premium-only. Ofcom investigation into X and Grok open since 12 January 2026.
Age check for some content or features Social media X Corp. 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
- x.com
- Age check
- Age check for some content or features, first recorded 25 July 2025
- Triggered by
- adult or mature content
- Applies to
- all UK users
- Notes
- Grok "spicy" imagery is gated through the same X age assurance.
- Methods
- Face scanPhoto IDEmail
- Vendor
- Persona; in-house or unnamed for email (not named)
- Last verified
- 6 September 2026
Methods and retention, one row per method
| Method | Provider | Retention, as published | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facial age estimation (face scan) | Persona |
No published retention period found (checked 6 September 2026). Notes: X help page (age-assurance) returned 403; press quotes: "Au10tix and Persona delete images of IDs, selfies and extracted data after 30 days." |
ppc.land, dated 26 July 2025 Secondary source (press) · checked 6 September 2026 |
| Photo ID | Persona |
No published retention period found (checked 6 September 2026). Notes: As above; Stripe also named; Au10tix reported delisted. |
ppc.land, dated 26 July 2025 Secondary source (press) · checked 6 September 2026 |
| Email-based estimation | not named |
No published retention period found (checked 6 September 2026). |
ppc.land, dated 26 July 2025 Secondary source (press) · checked 6 September 2026 |
Every method row for this service rests on press reporting rather than the service's own page. The service's own wording has not been read yet; see the points still being verified.
What you will see
- What happens
- Sensitive media is hidden until age is confirmed; X may infer age from the account first.
- How long it takes
- Not stated by the service.
- If you decline
- Sensitive media stays hidden.
- Official help page
- help.x.com
Questions people ask about X and Grok
Does X and Grok require age verification in the UK?
For some content or features. As of 6 September 2026, X and Grok asks UK users to complete an age check for adult or mature content, applying to all UK users. First recorded 25 July 2025.
Is the X and Grok 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 Email-based estimation. Providers named: Persona and not named. Which methods a service offers can change; the date each was checked is shown on the page.
What does X and Grok keep after the age check?
Facial age estimation (face scan) via Persona: No published retention period found (checked 6 September 2026). Photo ID via Persona: No published retention period found (checked 6 September 2026). Email-based estimation via not named: No published retention period found (checked 6 September 2026).
What if the X and Grok age check is not working?
This site records what the service publishes; it does not troubleshoot or offer workarounds. X and Grok's own help page is https://help.x.com/en/rules-and-policies/age-assurance. The service lists 3 methods, so a second method may be offered if one fails: Facial age estimation (face scan), Photo ID and Email-based estimation. If you do not complete the check, the service states: Sensitive media stays hidden.
Has a regulator taken action over X and Grok's age checks?
Ofcom, 12 January 2026: Investigation into X over Grok sexualised imagery, including highly effective age assurance.
Regulator actions
- — Ofcom: Investigation opened. Investigation into X over Grok sexualised imagery, including highly effective age assurance. ofcom.org.uk
Sources for this entry
- ppc.land press 26 July 2025
Changes to this record
- — seed: record created from research/01 and research/02 seed
Correct this entry
If X and Grok'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.