Yoti Experiences Huge Rise in Digital ID Downloads as OSA Rolls Out

Published Date : 8/6/2025 

Yoti reports a significant surge in digital ID downloads in the UK, with a 1,854% increase in app downloads following the implementation of the Online Safety Act. The company's digital IDs are increasingly being used for age verification, with over 68% of users being 30 years or older. 

People and businesses in the UK have been navigating the changes brought about by the Online Safety Act (OSA) for less than two weeks. However, Yoti, a leading digital identity provider, has reported a significant surge in digital ID downloads. According to Yoti, 6.5 million digital IDs have been downloaded domestically, partly due to an 1,854% increase in app downloads during this period.

Yoti’s app even reached the second spot on Apple’s App Store when the OSA came into effect. When individuals opt for reusable age assurance methods, a quarter of the time, it is a Yoti digital ID, according to company figures.

More than two-thirds (68%) of those using digital IDs for age checks were 30 years of age or older. This suggests that the technology is not only appealing to younger users but is also being widely adopted by older adults.

Yoti’s outreach efforts around the OSA have included two promotional videos, “Porno Pete” and “The Gimp,” which have collectively been viewed 7.5 million times. These advertisements emphasize that Yoti’s facial age estimation is anonymous and protects the identity privacy of its users.

A Financial Times column presents the Online Safety Act not as a final, unchangeable regulation but as the first step in an ongoing process of crafting effective internet safety laws. The columnist, Stephen Bush, notes that while the OSA is flawed, it is a useful first step, drawing a parallel with the Factory Acts of the 1800s, which initially faced resistance but ultimately improved working conditions.

Bush suggests that the government should take a more active role in developing the tools required for age verification and estimation, rather than relying on a diverse array of service providers. He points out that the significant increase in VPN downloads following the OSA’s implementation may be due to a lack of trust in these third-party services, not just attempts by underage users to circumvent the system.

This leads to the suggestion that the UK government should consider using GOV.UK for age verification, which is a possibility that may be realized soon. Bush also argues that the UK may increasingly need ID cards to effectively implement its policies, a concept that has been popular with the public but unpopular in Westminster.

The industry must address the perception that age assurance technology providers are less reliable with people’s data than the UK government. This is crucial to avoid ceding significant market share to less trusted alternatives. The implementation of the OSA and the surge in digital ID downloads highlight the growing importance of secure and reliable age verification technologies in the UK. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the Online Safety Act (OSA)?

A: The Online Safety Act (OSA) is a UK law designed to enhance online safety by requiring tech companies to take measures to protect users, particularly children, from harmful content and activities online.

Q: How has Yoti's app performed since the OSA came into effect?

A: Yoti's app has seen a significant surge, reaching the second spot on Apple’s App Store and experiencing an 1,854% increase in downloads. This growth is partly due to the OSA's implementation, which has increased the demand for digital IDs for age verification.

Q: Who is using Yoti's digital IDs for age checks?

A: More than two-thirds (68%) of those using Yoti's digital IDs for age checks are 30 years of age or older, indicating that the technology is being widely adopted by older adults as well as younger users.

Q: What are Yoti's promotional videos about?

A: Yoti's promotional videos, 'Porno Pete' and 'The Gimp,' emphasize the anonymity and privacy protection of their facial age estimation technology. These videos have been viewed 7.5 million times, highlighting the company’s efforts to build trust with users.

Q: What role should the UK government play in age verification?

A: According to Stephen Bush, the UK government should take a more active role in developing age verification tools rather than relying on a variety of third-party service providers. This could help build trust and ensure the reliability of the verification process. 

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