Decentralized social platform Bluesky has announced it will begin rolling out age verification for users in the United Kingdom to comply with the Online Safety Act, which mandates that platforms hosting adult content introduce “highly effective” age assurance measures by July 25, 2025.

In a platform update released Thursday, Bluesky stated that it will verify the age of UK users through Epic Games’ Kids Web Services. Users will have three verification options: facial scan, ID upload, or payment card entry. The measure is part of the company’s broader efforts to align with the UK’s regulatory framework while maintaining user privacy.

Bluesky clarified that users who either refuse to verify their age or are under 18 will not be barred entirely from the platform. However, they will face restricted access to mature content and disabled features, including direct messaging.

The platform also said it will display notifications prompting users in the UK to verify their age, along with tools to report unwanted content. Registration with KWS is required before proceeding with age verification.

The UK’s Online Safety Act, passed in 2023, aims to reduce children’s exposure to pornography, violent material, and self-harm content online. Platforms failing to comply may face fines of up to £18 million or 10% of their global annual revenue, whichever is greater.

The age-check rules, set to take effect this month, apply not only to traditional adult sites but also to social media platforms like Reddit, X, and now Bluesky. The UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, is tasked with enforcement and has stated it will pursue penalties against non-compliant platforms.

While Bluesky has positioned its age verification as privacy-conscious, digital rights advocates have raised concerns about potential overreach and surveillance. Bluesky notes that KWS does not share personal data with the platform and has data retention safeguards, including secure handling of facial scans and identification documents.

A spokesperson for Bluesky emphasized, “Our goal is to shield children from unwanted content while balancing safety with privacy and freedom of expression.”

As enforcement of the Online Safety Act looms, Bluesky joins a growing list of platforms taking steps to meet the UK’s stringent requirements amid broader international debates about age verification, digital rights, and platform responsibility.

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