Bluesky is introducing age verification for users in the UK to comply with the country’s Online Safety Act.
Starting soon, users will be prompted to confirm their age by either scanning their face, uploading a valid ID, or entering a payment card.
The verification process will be handled by Kid Web Services (KWS), a tool developed by Epic Games that supports age checks and parental controls. Users under 18 — or those who choose not to verify — can still use Bluesky but with restricted features. These include the disabling of direct messages and the blocking of adult-appropriate content.
The UK’s Online Safety Act, passed in 2023, aims to protect children from harmful online content. A new phase of the law takes effect on July 25, requiring platforms to implement “highly effective age assurance” or risk facing penalties of up to £18 million ($24 million) or 10% of global revenue.
Bluesky says users in the UK will see an in-app notification to begin the age verification process. The platform also confirmed it will continue working to shield young users from harmful content and improve its safety features over time.
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