Yoti Reports Surge in Digital ID Downloads as Online Safety Act Takes Effec

Published Date : 8/6/2025 

Yoti reports a significant increase in digital ID downloads in the UK, coinciding with the implementation of the Online Safety Act. The company's app has seen a surge in popularity, highlighting the growing importance of digital identity verification. 

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 already seen a substantial impact. The company reports that 6.5 million digital IDs have been downloaded domestically, driven by an 1,854 percent increase in app downloads during this period.

Yoti’s app reached as high as second place on Apple’s App Store when the OSA came into effect. When individuals opt for reusable age assurance methods, a quarter of the time, they choose a Yoti digital ID, according to company data.

More than two-thirds (68 percent) of those using digital ID for age checks are 30 years of age or older. Yoti has also launched promotional videos, “Porno Pete” and “The Gimp,” which have collectively garnered 7.5 million views. These ads emphasize the anonymity of the company’s facial age estimation technology, which protects the identity privacy of users.

A Financial Times column by Stephen Bush presents the Online Safety Act not as a final, unchangeable law but as the first step in an iterative process. Bush notes that while the OSA has its flaws, it is a useful starting point, drawing an analogy to the Factory Acts of the 1800s, which initially faced resistance but ultimately improved working conditions.

Bush argues that the government should develop the tools for age verification and estimation mandated by the OSA, rather than relying on a variety of service providers, some of which may not be entirely trustworthy. He suggests that the significant increase in VPN downloads following the OSA is partly due to a lack of trust in these service providers, not just to circumvent the system.

There is a growing possibility that GOV.UK, the government’s official website, could soon offer a solution. Bush arrives at the suggestion that the UK may increasingly need ID cards to implement its policies, despite their unpopularity among politicians. The industry must address concerns about the reliability of age assurance technology providers, as the UK government’s own data breaches have raised questions about data security.

In conclusion, the implementation of the Online Safety Act has catalyzed a surge in digital ID downloads and highlighted the need for robust, trustworthy age verification solutions. Yoti’s success in this domain underscores the growing importance of digital identity 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 protect internet users, especially children, from harmful content and activities. It mandates age verification and other safety measures for online platforms.

Q: How has Yoti responded to the OSA?

A: Yoti has seen a significant increase in digital ID downloads and app popularity since the OSA came into effect. The company has also launched promotional videos to emphasize the privacy and security of its facial age estimation technology.

Q: What is the significance of the surge in digital ID downloads?

A: The surge in digital ID downloads indicates a growing awareness and acceptance of digital identity verification as a necessary measure to comply with the OSA and enhance online safety.

Q: What are the concerns about age verification service providers?

A: There are concerns about the reliability and data security practices of some age verification service providers. The government and industry must address these issues to build public trust in these services.

Q: What role might GOV.UK play in age verification?

A: There is a possibility that GOV.UK, the UK government’s official website, could offer age verification services in the future, potentially providing a more trusted and standardized solution. 

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