In line with the UK’s new Online Safety Act, members accessing Recon from the UK will be required by law to complete an age verification process from the 25th July 2025. The Online Safety Act is a new set of laws that is designed to ensure that only adults (18+) can access services and content that contain explicit content.
Age verification not only ensures Recon’s legal compliance with these new regulations; it will assist our efforts to ensure our members are legitimate and most importantly, adults.
FAQs
Q: How do I complete the Age Verification process?
A: To make the process as simple as possible for you, we are partnering with Persona, a trusted industry specialist for online identity verification technology who will independently manage the processing of your data to protect your privacy. All members that are accessing Recon from within the UK will be invited to complete the Age Verification process prior to the 25th July 2025.
For the vast majority of our members, completing the verification process will only require capturing a selfie of your face. If you're lucky enough to look youthful, you may also be prompted to submit a photo of your government issued ID. The process should take no more than a few minutes and only requires you to simply follow the instructions on screen.
You will require a smart device (e.g. phone, tablet) or a PC with a working high quality camera, you may also require one of the following photo IDs:
- Driver’s License (including Provisional & International)
- National ID
- Passport
- Residency Permit
- Voter ID
Tips for a Successful Selfie
To make sure your age verification goes as smoothly as possible, here are a few tips for capturing a great selfie:
- Good lighting is essential. Make sure your face is clearly lit from the front, natural daylight works best. Avoid strong light sources behind you (i.e. backlighting).
- Sit or stand upright. The system works best when you’re sitting or standing.
- Look directly at the camera initially. Keep your face centered, your expression neutral and device steady so that your camera can see you clearly. Avoid hats, sunglasses, headsets or anything that obscures your face. These can interfere with the verification process.
- If your face isn’t automatically detected, don’t worry, just hold still. After a few moments, a “Take Photo” button will appear on screen, which you can press to capture your photo manually.
- When prompted to look left/right, turn your head slightly while still looking at the screen for prompts and holding your phone steady.
Following these tips helps ensure your verification goes quickly and smoothly, and reduces the chances of needing to retake your photo.
Q: How is the privacy of myself and data maintained?
A: Recon doesn’t store any data or documentation submitted to complete the age verification process. Recon only retains information about which age verification method was used, whether it was passed or failed and the reason for a failed verification. Persona retains your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfil the verification process, after which, it is deleted. Persona retains data from a failed verification for 7 days before it is deleted.
Q: Can I use an alternative method of Age Verification?
A: Qualifying profiles that meet one of the following conditions will be automatically 'pre-verified' and will not need to complete the verification process at this time or lose access to explicit imagery:
- Recon profile has been opened for 18 consecutive years or longer
- Premium Membership has been recently purchased using a UK credit card through a Web Browser
- Premium Membership has been purchased using a UK credit card through Recon X (Android App)
Please note that all 'pre-verified' members may be prompted to complete the Age Verification process in the future.
Q: What happens if I do not complete the Age Verification?
A: Members accessing Recon from the UK that do not complete the Age Verification process leading up to the 25th July 2025 will have a limited Recon experience and will no longer be able to see any explicit or adult-related content on Recon. This includes but is not limited to explicit images on profiles, private messages, Event Gallery images, Sponsored Posts & Messages, Advertisements and/or the Home Feed.
Q: Will I be able to see explicit content again after a successful Age Verification check?
A: Yes, verified members that are accessing Recon using a web browser or the Recon X app will have the same experience that they've been used to prior to the new regulations being introduced.
Q: Will I now be able to view explicit content everywhere on the iOS app after verifying my age?
A: Unfortunately, not. To be available on the App Store, we still need to comply with Apple's user generated content guidelines, which prohibits us from displaying sexual content on profiles or within our own content. Members using the iOS app will have the Recon experience prior to the introduction of the new regulations restored, following a successful verification.
Q: I’m travelling through the UK. Will I need to complete the Age Verification?
A: The Online Safety Act mandates that users accessing a platform/service intended for adults from the UK are required to be age verified. If you access Recon whilst being present in the UK, you will be required to complete the age verification process.
Q: I already verified my age on another account / through Customer Support, do I need to complete the check?
A: Yes. Whilst we do our best to thoroughly check all IDs sent to us, the Online Safety Act mandates that any submitted Government ID is also compared to a live captured selfie. Therefore, Recon profiles that have been previously checked by Recon Customer Support will not qualify for pre-verification. Additionally, age verification is account-bound and will not be carried over to any subsequently created profiles. As outlined in our Terms and Conditions, a single account holder is not permitted to maintain and/or use of multiple Recon profiles.