YouTube and Google Account: age checks in the UK
Accounts inferred to be under 18 are restricted; users can prove age through Google Account with ID, credit card, selfie, or email estimation via VerifyMy. UK is on Google's live list.
Age check for some content or features Video and streaming Google LLC 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
- youtube.com
- Age check
- Age check for some content or features, first recorded 2025
- Triggered by
- age estimated from account signals only; specific features
- Applies to
- accounts the service flags; accounts the service estimates to be under 18
- Methods
- Photo IDCredit cardFace scanEmail
- Vendors
- Google, VerifyMy; in-house or unnamed for
- Last verified
- 6 September 2026
Methods and retention, one row per method
| Method | Provider | Retention, as published | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo ID |
“deleted after your date of birth is successfully verified” Quoted from support.google.com; checked 6 September 2026. Held by the service. Period as stated: after verification. |
support.google.com Primary source · checked 6 September 2026 |
|
| Credit card |
“retained as necessary to meet legal and regulatory requirements” Quoted from support.google.com; checked 6 September 2026. Held by the service. Period as stated: retained for legal requirements. |
support.google.com Primary source · checked 6 September 2026 |
|
| Facial age estimation (face scan) | Google (Private ID selfie) |
“then deleted” Quoted from support.google.com; checked 6 September 2026. Held by the service. Period as stated: after check. |
support.google.com Primary source · checked 6 September 2026 |
| Email-based estimation | VerifyMy |
“delete your personal data immediately as soon as the Check is complete” Quoted from verifymy.io, dated June 2024; checked 6 September 2026. Held by the vendor. Period as stated: immediately. |
verifymy.io Primary source · checked 6 September 2026 |
What you will see
- What happens
- If Google thinks you are under 18, age-restricted videos and some features are blocked until you verify through your Google Account.
- How long it takes
- Not stated by the service.
- If you decline
- Restrictions stay on.
- Official help page
- support.google.com
Questions people ask about YouTube and Google Account
Does YouTube and Google Account require age verification in the UK?
For some content or features. As of 6 September 2026, YouTube and Google Account asks UK users to complete an age check for specific features, applying to accounts the service flags and accounts the service estimates to be under 18. First recorded 2025.
Is the YouTube and Google Account age check a face scan?
A face scan (facial age estimation) is one of 4 recorded methods: Photo ID, Credit card, Facial age estimation (face scan) and Email-based estimation. Providers named: Google, Google (Private ID selfie) and VerifyMy. Which methods a service offers can change; the date each was checked is shown on the page.
What does YouTube and Google Account keep after the age check?
Photo ID via Google: "deleted after your date of birth is successfully verified" (support.google.com; checked 6 September 2026). Credit card via Google: "retained as necessary to meet legal and regulatory requirements" (support.google.com; checked 6 September 2026). Facial age estimation (face scan) via Google (Private ID selfie): "then deleted" (support.google.com; checked 6 September 2026). Email-based estimation via VerifyMy: "delete your personal data immediately as soon as the Check is complete" (verifymy.io, dated June 2024; checked 6 September 2026).
What if the YouTube and Google Account age check is not working?
This site records what the service publishes; it does not troubleshoot or offer workarounds. YouTube and Google Account's own help page is https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/16422785. The service lists 4 methods, so a second method may be offered if one fails: Photo ID, Credit card, Facial age estimation (face scan) and Email-based estimation. If you do not complete the check, the service states: Restrictions stay on.
Has a regulator taken action over YouTube and Google Account's age checks?
Ofcom, 12 March 2026: Ofcom and ICO letters requiring stronger age checks.
Regulator actions
- — Ofcom: Statement or letter. Ofcom and ICO letters requiring stronger age checks. lewissilkin.com
Sources for this entry
- YouTube help: age assurance countries service help
- Google Account verification service help
Changes to this record
- — seed: record created from research/01 and research/02 seed
Correct this entry
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