Epic Games Uses Yoti for UK Age Compliance

Published Date : 7/11/2025 

Bluesky, a rising social media platform, has partnered with Epic Games to implement Yoti's facial age estimation technology, ensuring adherence to the UK's Online Safety Act. This move aims to restrict adult content for underage users and align with new age verification regulations. 

Social media platform Bluesky has taken a significant step toward compliance with the UK’s Online Safety Act by integrating facial age estimation technology from Yoti, a subsidiary of Epic Games. This decision comes as part of broader efforts to safeguard minors from exposure to inappropriate content and ensure age-appropriate access to online platforms. The move highlights the growing reliance on biometric solutions to meet regulatory demands in the digital age. n nEpic Games, best known for its blockbuster title Fortnite, has expanded its reach beyond gaming through its subsidiary SuperAwesome. This division focuses on creating safe digital environments for children, and in 2023, SuperAwesome selected Yoti for its facial age estimation capabilities. The partnership was initially aimed at supporting Epic’s verifiable parental consent system, but the technology has now been adapted for use by Bluesky. Yoti’s facial age estimation uses AI to analyze a user’s face and estimate their age, offering a non-intrusive alternative to traditional age verification methods like ID scans or payment card checks. n nBluesky’s implementation of Yoti’s technology is part of a larger suite of age assurance tools provided by SuperAwesome’s Kids Web Services (KWS). KWS combines facial age estimation with other verification methods, such as ID card scans and payment card checks, to create a multi-layered approach to age verification. This hybrid system allows platforms like Bluesky to comply with the UK’s strict regulations while minimizing user friction. However, the integration is not without challenges, as concerns about data privacy and the accuracy of AI-driven age estimation continue to be debated among regulators and users alike. n nUnder the UK’s Online Safety Act, social media platforms must ensure that users under 18 are protected from adult content. Bluesky has announced that users who fail to complete age verification will have access to adult-appropriate content blocked and certain features, such as direct messaging, disabled. This measure is intended to create a safer environment for younger users but has sparked discussions about the balance between safety and user autonomy. The platform’s decision to adopt Yoti’s technology reflects the increasing pressure on social media companies to proactively address online safety without compromising user experience. n nBluesky, which boasts over 37 million users globally, has seen a significant portion of its active audience in the UK. While only 10.6 million users have engaged with the platform in the past 90 days, the new age verification measures are expected to impact a substantial number of users. The feature is not yet live, but Bluesky has confirmed that UK users will soon receive notifications about the update. The platform’s compliance with the Online Safety Act is critical, as failure to meet the regulations by July 25 could result in hefty fines or forced shutdowns. n nThe integration of Yoti’s facial age estimation technology underscores the broader trend of leveraging biometrics for digital safety. As more countries adopt similar regulations, the demand for reliable age verification solutions is expected to rise. However, the effectiveness of these tools remains a topic of debate, with critics questioning their accuracy and potential for misuse. Despite these concerns, Bluesky’s partnership with Epic Games and Yoti sets a precedent for how social media platforms can navigate the complex landscape of online safety and regulatory compliance. n nThe collaboration between Bluesky, Epic Games, and Yoti also highlights the evolving role of gaming companies in shaping digital ecosystems. While Epic Games is primarily known for its gaming ventures, its expansion into age verification and child safety solutions demonstrates a strategic shift toward broader digital services. This move aligns with the company’s commitment to creating safer online spaces, particularly as the gaming and social media industries increasingly overlap. n nAs the digital landscape continues to evolve, the integration of biometric technologies like Yoti’s facial age estimation will play a pivotal role in shaping user experiences. For Bluesky, this partnership represents a proactive approach to compliance and user safety, but it also raises important questions about the future of online privacy and the ethical use of AI in age verification. With the deadline for the Online Safety Act fast approaching, the success of this initiative will likely influence how other platforms address similar challenges in the coming years. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

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

A: Bluesky is implementing Yoti's facial age estimation to comply with the UK’s Online Safety Act, which requires platforms to protect underage users from adult content. This technology helps verify users' ages without relying on traditional methods like ID scans.

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

A: Yoti uses AI to analyze a user’s face and estimate their age. This method is designed to be non-intrusive and faster than traditional verification processes, such as ID checks or payment card scans.

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

A: Users who fail to complete age verification will have access to adult content blocked, and features like direct messaging may be disabled. This is part of Bluesky’s efforts to comply with the UK’s Online Safety Act.

Q: When will the new age verification feature be live?

A: The feature is not yet active, but Bluesky has confirmed that UK users will receive notifications about the update soon. The platform aims to meet the July 25 deadline for compliance with the Online Safety Act.

Q: What are the challenges of using biometric age estimation?

A: Challenges include concerns about data privacy, the accuracy of AI-driven age estimation, and potential misuse of biometric data. Critics argue that these technologies must balance safety with user rights and ethical considerations. 

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