Twitch introduces facial age verification in some regions to protect younger users and comply with local laws.
Twitch, the popular Amazon-owned streaming platform, has recently introduced a new age verification system aimed at keeping its community safe and complying with local laws. The update requires users to prove their age through facial scanning technology in certain regions, marking a significant change in how viewers access age-restricted content.
Twitch Adds Facial Age Verification
When creating an account on Twitch, users must provide their birth date. The platform enforces minimum age requirements that vary by country, with no one under 13 allowed to sign up. However, in regions with stricter regulations, such as the United Kingdom, Twitch has added an extra step: facial age estimation. Starting September 15, users in these regions must scan their faces to confirm they meet the age requirement before they can access certain content.
The new facial verification process works directly on the user’s device. Twitch emphasizes that the video selfie taken for age estimation is never sent to their servers or stored, ensuring user privacy. The data is analyzed only on the device, and its sole purpose is to verify age for access to mature-rated content. Users are prompted to remove glasses or headgear to allow the system to accurately assess their age.
Twitch Age Check Sparks Debate
The change comes in response to new legislation in the UK that requires stricter age verification for online content deemed suitable only for adults. This law has pushed platforms like Twitch to implement measures to prevent underage users from accessing mature content, including certain games and streams.
Reactions to Twitch’s new age verification system have been mixed. Many users in affected regions find the process inconvenient, citing the repeated need to perform facial scans as a barrier to accessing content. Privacy concerns have also been raised, although Twitch and its third-party partner k-ID have made clear that no biometric data is stored or shared.
Twitch Age Verification Explained
For most users outside these regions, the traditional sign-up process remains unchanged and age verification scans are not required. However, those in the UK and similar jurisdictions should be prepared for the added step when signing in.
In summary, Twitch’s facial age verification is part of a broader effort to ensure online safety and compliance with local laws. While it has sparked debate over privacy and usability, the system is designed to protect younger audiences from accessing age-inappropriate content while maintaining user privacy.
What do you think? Too much or a step in the right direction? Let us know in the comments!