The Online Safety Act is the UK’s bold move to make the internet “the safest place in the world” for kids. Starting July 25, 2025, any app or website hosting adult content (think porn, mature gaming, or even edgy social media forums) must implement robust age verification to keep users under 18 out.

No more “tick a box, say you’re 18” nonsense. Ofcom, the UK’s regulator, is cracking down hard, with fines up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue (yep, that’s global) for non-compliance. For big players like Meta, that could mean a $16 billion hit. Ouch.

And we aren't just talking about adult sites here. If your app allows user-generated content (think social platforms, dating apps, or gaming communities), you’re on the hook to ensure kids can’t stumble across harmful material. The stakes are high, but so is the opportunity to build trust and create seamless, secure user experiences.

Ofcom’s done with half-measures. Self-declaration or terms-of-service checkboxes will need to be a thing of the past. Instead, you’ll need highly effective age assurance (HEAA) methods. Here’s what that includes:

• Government-Issued ID Uploads - Users can scan passports or driver’s licenses. No storing sensitive data, though; privacy is non-negotiable.
• Biometric Facial Age Estimation - AI-powered tech (like Yoti or Persona) analyses selfies to estimate age without identifying the user. It’s fast, privacy-focused, and increasingly popular.
• Credit Card Verification - Since you need to be 18+ for a credit card in the UK, this is a quick way to confirm age without storing payment details.
• Open Banking Checks - Users consent to a service accessing bank info to confirm they’re over 18. Minimal data sharing, maximum compliance.
• Third-Party Verification Services - Platforms like Yoti, AgeChecked, or Persona handle the heavy lifting, offering scalable, GDPR-compliant solutions.

The catch is that these methods must be accurate. Ofcom’s clear: relying solely on self-reported ages or weak checks won’t cut it. You need to integrate systems that balance user privacy, security, and a frictionless experience.

If you’re building or maintaining apps in 2025, these rules change everything. Here’s how they hit your development process and what you need to do to stay ahead:

1. Scope your app’s risk profile - Not every app needs full-on ID checks. If you’re building a kids’ game or a fitness tracker, you might avoid the strictest rules. But if your app includes social features, dating, mature themes, or user-generated content, you're firmly in scope.
   
   You should have already completed a Children’s Access Assessment by April 16, 2025, but if you didn’t, now’s the time to catch up. Ofcom expects clear evidence of how you assess and mitigate risks to under-18s.
   
   Pro tip: Document everything. Your risk assessment is your first line of defence if Ofcom comes knocking.
   
2. Integrate age verification seamlessly - Users hate clunky experiences, so your verification flow needs to be slick. Work with third-party providers like Yoti or Persona for pre-built, compliant solutions. Their APIs and SDKs (like Shufti’s) are designed for high-traffic environments and can scale without slowing down your app.
   
   Expect to budget a few pence per check at scale, with pricing varying based on method and volume. A waterfall approach can help keep costs down: start with low-friction methods like age estimation, then escalate to full ID checks only when needed. It’s efficient, user-friendly, and keeps abandonment rates low.
   
   Tech note: Ensure your backend supports multiple authentication methods (desktop, mobile, web). Test for cross-platform compatibility to avoid UX hiccups.
   
3. Prioritise privacy and data minimisation - Privacy concerns are fueling backlash against the Act (over 420,000 signatures on a repeal petition and a 1,400% VPN surge show users are wary). Your app must comply with GDPR and minimise data collection. For example, biometric tools like Yoti don’t store facial images; they return a simple over/under-18 result. If you’re handling IDs, use encrypted, temporary storage and delete data after verification. Transparency is key: clearly explain to users what data you’re collecting and why.
   
   Dev insight: Implement zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) tech if you want to go next-level. It verifies age without sharing extra details. Google’s open-sourced ZKP for Google Wallet is a great starting point.
   
4. Prepare for enforcement and penalties - Ofcom’s not playing. They’ve already launched probes into 11 companies for suspected breaches. Non-compliance could mean massive fines, court-ordered blocks, or even criminal liability for senior managers. Smaller apps face the same heat as giants like Meta or Pornhub, so don’t assume you’re flying under the radar. Build compliance into your roadmap now to avoid a last-minute scramble.
   
5. Futureproof with digital ID frameworks -The UK’s Data (use and access) Act is rolling out a digital identity trust framework, paving the way for secure, reusable digital IDs. By Autumn 2025, Companies House will require ID verification for directors and PSCs, signalling a broader shift toward digital identities. Start exploring integration with GOV.UK One Login or certified providers like Luciditi for future-ready apps.

When distributing apps through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, developers might wonder whether the stores’ built-in mechanisms handle age verification requirements under the Online Safety Act 2023, or if in-app checks are necessary. The short answer: it’s on you, the developer, to implement robust age verification within your app. Here’s why and how it works:

Both Apple and Google enforce age ratings (e.g., 17+ or PEGI 18) during the app submission process, based on content descriptors you provide. However, these are static ratings, not dynamic user verification. The stores rely on parental controls or user self-reported ages during device setup, which don’t meet Ofcom’s “highly effective age assurance” (HEAA) standards. For example:

• Apple App Store - Requires developers to declare content ratings and may prompt users to confirm age during download, but this is a one-time, self-reported check, far from Ofcom’s requirements.
• Google Play Store - Similar to Apple, it uses age ratings and optional parental controls, but lacks real-time, robust verification like biometric or ID-based checks.

These store-level mechanisms are insufficient for compliance with the Online Safety Act, especially for apps with adult content or user-generated material accessible to kids. Ofcom explicitly demands active, accurate age assurance, meaning you must integrate verification directly into your app.

1. Integrate with trusted providers - Use APIs from Yoti, Persona, or Shufti for seamless, compliant verification. Their SDKs are optimised for mobile and web, reducing development overhead.
2. Minimise friction - Start with low-friction methods (e.g., biometric estimation) and escalate to ID checks only when needed to keep user dropout rates low.
3. Ensure GDPR compliance - Use encrypted, temporary storage for any ID data and delete it post-verification. Clearly communicate data usage to users.
4. Test across platforms - Ensure your verification flow works smoothly on iOS, Android, and web, as store-specific quirks (e.g., Apple’s WebKit restrictions) can affect UX.

• User experience is king - A clunky verification process will hurt retention fast. Optimise for speed and simplicity, think one-tap biometric checks or single-use ID uploads.
• Global compliance - If your app serves EU users, brace for similar rules in 2026 under the Digital Services Act. Build modular systems now to handle multi-region compliance.
• VPN workarounds - Some users will try bypassing checks with VPNs. While Ofcom discourages this, focus on making your verification so seamless that users don’t bother.
• Content moderation - Algorithms pushing harmful content to kids? That’s a compliance violation. Audit your recommendation systems to ensure they’re age-appropriate.
• Testing and iteration: Ofcom’s approach is iterative, so expect evolving guidelines. Stay agile and keep up with their updates.

Compliance might sound like a headache, but it’s a chance to shine. By nailing age verification, you’re building trust with users, dodging Ofcom’s wrath, and positioning your app as a leader in a safety-first digital world. Plus, privacy-preserving tech like ZKP or biometric estimation is cutting-edge, and your team gets to flex its innovation muscles.

The UK’s age verification rules are reshaping how apps are built, and the developers who get ahead of it will lead the pack. This isn’t about playing it safe. It’s about setting the standard.

Get started by:

• Assessing your risk
• Choosing the right verification tools
• Prioritising privacy and UX
• Building for the future, not just the present

Need backup? Explore Ofcom’s official guide on age assurance or get in touch with us for a chat. We’ll help you build something that’s not just compliant but exceptional.