Twitch has rolled out a new age verification system that requires users in the United Kingdom to complete a facial scan to confirm their age.
The change, implemented on September 15, comes in response to stricter UK regulations for accessing mature online content.
The Amazon-owned streaming platform already prohibits users under 13 from creating accounts, but the new system adds an additional barrier for older users seeking to view mature-rated streams and content. When signing in, affected users are now directed to a “Verify Your Age” screen. To proceed, they must remove glasses or headgear and allow the platform’s age estimation technology to scan their face.
Twitch has partnered with third-party vendor k-ID to manage the verification process. According to Twitch, the video selfies captured for the scans are processed entirely on the user’s device and are not stored or transmitted, a measure designed to address privacy concerns.
The rollout has received mixed reactions. Some users view the requirement as intrusive, joking that it feels “dystopian,” while others have expressed frustration over the inconvenience of repeated scans. Reports have also surfaced of users exploiting the system with celebrity images—such as actor Norman Reedus—to bypass verification.
Not all experiences have been playful. Britain’s self-proclaimed “most tattooed man” reported being blocked from websites after the technology mistakenly flagged his face as a mask.
The update aligns Twitch with new UK online safety laws but raises ongoing questions about digital privacy, accessibility, and whether such measures will be effective in preventing underage access.
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