Age verification
[Reason: No reason provided.]
Age verification is a feature announced on November 27, 2024 on the official VRChat Youtube channel[1]. It allows users to verify their age using a third-party service known as Persona, enabling access to instances restricted to users aged 18 and older.
Process
Age verification is conducted through Persona, a third-party verification provider compliant with GDPR[2]. Users provide a government-issued ID and use a camera-enabled device, such as a smartphone or computer, to complete the process.
Just about any form of government identification can be used, such as, but not limited to:
- Drivers License
- Identification Card
- Passport
- Passport Card
- Permanent Residence Card
- Immigration Visa
- Work Permit
Persona processes the user’s identification and biometrics in accordance with its strict privacy policy[3], ensuring GDPR, CCPA, and other compliance standards are met. VRChat does not receive or store personal information from the verification process, except for the user’s verified date of birth. Persona operates under a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) with VRChat, which requires Persona to operate under GDPR/CCPA for all users regardless of location[4].
Features
Verified users have the option to display a badge on their profile indicating their age verification status. This badge is not mandatory and can be toggled off at any time. Groups can create 18+ restricted instances, requiring all participants to complete the verification process to join. These restrictions can be applied to public, group-only, or group-plus instances.
Age Verification is being considered to function alongside Content Gating to prevent unverified users from accessing content tagged with "Sexually suggestive" and "Adult language and themes."
Rollout
The feature is currently being deployed in phases, beginning with a trial period for select event organizers. During this phase, only members of selected groups can apply for verification and create age-restricted instances. Future updates will expand access and introduce additional use cases, such as content gating, and other feedback collected during the trial.
Additional information
- Verification Requirements: Users must submit an unedited photo of their ID for it to be accepted. Some may need to complete a "liveliness check" involving a selfie to ensure the person validating is the person who owns the ID.
- Optional Participation: Age verification is not mandatory to use VRChat. However, it is required for access to age-restricted instances and features.
- Data Handling: Persona retains ID data to validate user identity but does not share this data with VRChat, apart from the verified date of birth. Users can request deletion of their data in either Persona or VRChat.
- Note: Deleting verification data in VRChat will result in the user's account being unusable until accepting the Terms of Service and inputting their birthdate again.
- Deleting verification data from Persona will not affect a user's age verification status and will not delete the data on VRChat's end.
- Note: Deleting verification data in VRChat will result in the user's account being unusable until accepting the Terms of Service and inputting their birthdate again.
- One ID Per Account: IDs cannot be used to verify multiple accounts. This restriction is intended to enhance trust, and encourage users to place more value in their account, discouraging malicious behavior.
References
- ↑ "Introducing Age Verification | Developer Update #vrchat." YouTube, uploaded by VRChat, 27 Nov. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odiNjIFUNvw. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
- ↑ Persona. Security. https://withpersona.com/security. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
- ↑ Persona. Privacy Policy. https://withpersona.com/legal/privacy-policy. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
- ↑ https://ask.vrchat.com/t/age-verification-faq/28458#p-58953-what-if-i-dont-live-in-the-eu-or-california-11