Bluesky Uses Yoti's Age Estimation Through Epic Games to Comply with UK Rul

Published Date : 7/11/2025 

Bluesky partners with Epic Games and Yoti to implement biometric age verification, ensuring compliance with the UK's Online Safety Act. The move aims to restrict adult content for under-18s and enforce stricter age assurance measures across the platform. 

Social media platform Bluesky has taken a significant step toward compliance with the UK’s Online Safety Act by integrating Yoti’s facial age estimation technology through Epic Games. This partnership highlights the growing importance of biometric age verification in safeguarding younger users from inappropriate content. The UK’s new regulations require platforms to implement robust age assurance measures, and Bluesky’s decision to adopt this technology underscores the urgency of meeting these standards. n nEpic Games, best known for its popular title Fortnite, has expanded its reach beyond gaming with its subsidiary SuperAwesome. This division provides Kids Web Services (KWS), a suite of tools designed to help platforms like Bluesky meet regulatory requirements. In 2023, SuperAwesome selected Yoti for its facial age estimation capabilities, which are now being leveraged to support Epic’s verifiable parental consent system. This collaboration allows Bluesky to verify user ages without relying solely on traditional methods like ID scans or payment card checks. n nThe KWS platform combines Yoti’s biometric technology with other age verification techniques, creating a multi-layered approach to age assurance. By using facial recognition, Yoti can estimate a user’s age with a high degree of accuracy, reducing the risk of underage access to restricted content. Bluesky plans to block adult-appropriate content for users under 18 or those who decline to participate in the age verification process. Additionally, features like direct messaging will be disabled for non-compliant accounts, aligning the platform with the Online Safety Act’s mandates. n nBluesky, which boasts over 37 million users, has faced scrutiny over its content moderation policies. While only 10.6 million users have engaged with the platform in the past 90 days, the upcoming age verification update is expected to impact a significant portion of its user base. The feature is not yet live, but Bluesky has confirmed that UK users will soon receive notifications about the changes. This move comes as part of a broader industry effort to comply with the UK’s deadline of July 25, 2025, for implementing age assurance technologies across social media platforms. n nThe integration of Yoti’s technology into Bluesky’s operations reflects a growing trend in the tech industry. As regulatory pressures mount, companies are increasingly turning to biometric solutions to balance user privacy with safety. Yoti’s facial age estimation has been praised for its efficiency and accuracy, making it a popular choice for platforms seeking to meet compliance requirements without compromising user experience. However, concerns about data privacy and the ethical use of biometric data remain, prompting ongoing debates about the long-term implications of such technologies. n nWith the Online Safety Act set to take effect, platforms like Bluesky must navigate a complex landscape of legal and ethical challenges. The use of Yoti’s technology represents a proactive approach to compliance, but it also raises questions about the scalability of biometric solutions for smaller platforms. As the deadline approaches, the success of this partnership could serve as a blueprint for other companies looking to implement similar measures. Meanwhile, users will need to adapt to new verification processes, which may alter their interactions with the platform. n nThe broader implications of this development extend beyond Bluesky. As more platforms adopt age verification technologies, the digital ecosystem will likely see a shift in how user data is collected and utilized. This could lead to increased scrutiny of tech companies and a greater emphasis on transparency in age assurance practices. For now, Bluesky’s collaboration with Epic Games and Yoti marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to create a safer online environment for younger users. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: Why is Bluesky implementing Yoti's facial age estimation?

A: Bluesky is using Yoti's technology to comply with the UK's Online Safety Act, which requires platforms to verify users' ages and restrict access to adult content for under-18s.

Q: How does Yoti's facial age estimation work?

A: Yoti uses facial recognition algorithms to estimate a user's age based on their biometric data, providing a quick and efficient method for age verification without relying on traditional ID checks.

Q: What happens to users who don't complete age verification?

A: Users under 18 or those who decline to verify their age will have access to adult content blocked and may lose access to certain features like direct messaging.

Q: When will the age verification feature launch?

A: While the feature is not yet live, Bluesky has stated that UK users should expect updates soon, with the deadline for compliance set for July 25, 2025.

Q: What are the implications of biometric age verification?

A: While it enhances safety, biometric verification raises concerns about data privacy and the ethical use of user data, prompting ongoing debates about its long-term impact on digital platforms. 

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