YouTube: 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 18 October 2026
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Published statements are shown with their sources and the dates we checked them. Missing information and availability limits remain explicit.
- 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 scanEmailDigital ID
Android only; Google says “This option is not available in all regions.”
- Vendors
- Google, VerifyMy
- Overall record checked
- 18 October 2026. Individual methods may have later checks, shown below.
Methods and retention, one row per method
| Method | Provider | Retention, as published | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo ID |
“Will be deleted after your date of birth is successfully verified.” Quoted from support.google.com; checked 18 October 2026. Held by the service. Period as stated: after verification. Notes: Google’s page lists for an uploaded ID: “Is stored securely”, “Won’t be made public”, “Will be deleted after your date of birth is successfully verified.” and “In certain cases, your ID may be subject to manual review in accordance with Google security policies.” |
support.google.com Primary source · checked 18 October 2026 |
|
| Credit card |
“If you enter your credit card info for age verification, Google will retain this data as necessary to meet legal and regulatory requirements.” Quoted from support.google.com; checked 18 October 2026. Held by the service. Period as stated: retained for legal requirements. Notes: Google’s page: “You won’t be charged to verify your age.” and “This is an authorization request, and not a charge.” |
support.google.com Primary source · checked 18 October 2026 |
|
| Facial age estimation (face scan) | Google (Private ID selfie) |
“When age estimation is complete, Private ID shares with Google if they can confirm you’re old enough. Your selfie is then deleted.” Quoted from support.google.com; checked 18 October 2026. Held by the service and the vendor. Period as stated: after check. Notes: Google’s page names Private ID as “Google’s partner that performs the verification” and says Google gives Private ID “only a random identifier for your Google Account.” Private Identity LLC holds an ACCS age-estimation certificate (valid to 26 February 2027). |
support.google.com Primary source · checked 18 October 2026 |
| Email-based estimation | VerifyMy |
“We and our partners will delete your personal data immediately as soon as the Check is complete and the result has been shared with Google.” Quoted from verifymy.io, dated June 2024; checked 18 October 2026. Held by the vendor. Period as stated: immediately. Notes: Verifymy’s Google policy still says “This Privacy Policy was last updated June 2024.” (page metadata modified 13 October 2026). Google’s page: “VerifyMy doesn’t save your email address or use it for any purpose except to verify your age.” |
verifymy.io, dated June 2024 Primary source · checked 18 October 2026 |
| Digital ID wallet | Google (digital ID in a wallet on the device) |
No published retention period found (checked 18 October 2026). Notes: Google’s page: “Currently, you can use your digital ID for age verification only on Android devices.” and “This option is not available in all regions.” No retention wording is given for this route. Android only; Google says “This option is not available in all regions.” |
support.google.com Primary source · checked 18 October 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
Does YouTube require age verification in the UK?
For some content or features. As of 18 October 2026, YouTube 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. Android only; Google says “This option is not available in all regions.”
Is the YouTube age check a face scan?
A face scan (facial age estimation) is one of 5 recorded methods: Photo ID, Credit card, Facial age estimation (face scan), Email-based estimation and Digital ID wallet (availability varies by jurisdiction). Providers named: Google, Google (Private ID selfie), VerifyMy and Google (digital ID in a wallet on the device). Which methods a service offers can change; the date each was checked is shown on the page. Android only; Google says “This option is not available in all regions.”
What does YouTube keep after the age check?
Photo ID via Google: "Will be deleted after your date of birth is successfully verified." (support.google.com; checked 18 October 2026). Credit card via Google: "If you enter your credit card info for age verification, Google will retain this data as necessary to meet legal and regulatory requirements." (support.google.com; checked 18 October 2026). Facial age estimation (face scan) via Google (Private ID selfie): "When age estimation is complete, Private ID shares with Google if they can confirm you’re old enough. Your selfie is then deleted." (support.google.com; checked 18 October 2026). Email-based estimation via VerifyMy: "We and our partners will delete your personal data immediately as soon as the Check is complete and the result has been shared with Google." (verifymy.io, dated June 2024; checked 18 October 2026). Digital ID wallet (availability varies by jurisdiction) via Google (digital ID in a wallet on the device): No published retention period found (checked 18 October 2026). Android only; Google says “This option is not available in all regions.”
What if the YouTube age check is not working?
This site records what the service publishes; it does not troubleshoot or offer workarounds. YouTube's own help page is https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/16422785. The record lists 5 methods; availability depends on the service and account: Photo ID, Credit card, Facial age estimation (face scan), Email-based estimation and Digital ID wallet (availability varies by jurisdiction). If you do not complete the check, the service states: Restrictions stay on. Android only; Google says “This option is not available in all regions.”
Has a regulator taken action over YouTube's age checks?
Ofcom, 12 March 2026: Ofcom letter of 12 March 2026 to Facebook, Instagram, Roblox, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube: enforce minimum ages with highly effective age assurance and report back by 30 April 2026. Android only; Google says “This option is not available in all regions.”
Regulator actions
- — Ofcom: Statement or letter. Ofcom letter of 12 March 2026 to Facebook, Instagram, Roblox, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube: enforce minimum ages with highly effective age assurance and report back by 30 April 2026. ofcom.org.uk
Sources for this entry
- YouTube help: age assurance countries service help
- Google Account verification service help
Changes to this record
- — name: Google Account verification and Google Search now have their own record built from Google’s Account and Search help pages (data/services/google-account.json); this record covers YouTube only. Its method rows are unchanged because YouTube users verify through the same Google Account routes. (was: Record named “YouTube and Google Account”) manual
- — methods.retention, methods, enforcement.source_url: Google Account help, YouTube age-estimation page and Verifymy’s Google policy re-read 18 October 2026. Quotes made verbatim to full sentences; digital ID (Android only) added as a route; the UK is still on YouTube’s list of countries where age estimation is applied. The 12 March 2026 letter is now cited to Ofcom’s own page. (was: Card quote “retained as necessary to meet legal and regulatory requirements”; selfie quote “then deleted”) manual
- — seed: record created from research/01 and research/02 seed
Correct this entry
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