Age Verification

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Profile Markers

Age verification is a social feature that allows users to verify their age using the third-party service Persona. Users who are verified can display an age verification marker on their profile; verified users who are 18 or older can gain access to age-restricted instances. It was announced November 27, 2024 on the official VRChat YouTube channel[1].

The verification process is currently available in early access, for all VRC+ subscribers as of January 28, 2025[2].

Process

The age verification process is conducted through Persona — a third-party verification provider. Users provide a government-issued ID[3] and use a camera-enabled device, such as a smartphone, or computer with a webcam, to complete the process.

Just about any form of government identification can be used depending on the country the user is from, such as, but not limited to:

  • Drivers License
  • Identification Card
  • Passport
  • Passport Card

Persona processes the user’s identification and biometrics in accordance with its privacy policy[4], ensuring GDPR, CCPA, and other compliance standards are met[5]. 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[6].

Features

Profile marker

Profile option to publicly display a "Verified 18+" badge.

Verified users over the age of 18, have the option to display a marker on their profile indicating their 18+ age verification status.

  • "Verified 18+" which can only be used by users who are age verified, and are 18 or older.

The marker can also be hidden completely if a user does not want to make their verification status visible to others. Users who are verified 18+ can always access age-restricted instances, regardless if the verification marker is shown publicly on their profile.

The age verified trust shield icon alone does not indicate a user is 18+, only that they have verified their age. Users who are under 18 (but must be at least 13+) can verify their age with Persona, but will not be able to select the Verified 18+ marker on their profile, or access age-restricted instances until they have turned 18.

Age gated instances

A screenshot of a group public instance in a world's instances list. An icon resembling an ID card with a checkmark on it indicating it is an age-restricted instance.
Age restricted instances are indicated by the "ID" icon on an instance's information.

Groups can create 18+ restricted instances, requiring all participants to be age-verified and 18 or older to join. These restrictions can be applied to public, group-plus, or group-only instances. 18+ restricted instances will always show at the top of the instance list if the user is 18+ verified.

Content Gating

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V · EUnreleased or beta content!
This content is currently unreleased or in beta, be aware it could change!
[Reason: No reason provided.]

Age Verification is being considered to function alongside Content Gating to prevent unverified users and verified users under the age of 18 from accessing content tagged with "Sexually suggestive" and "Adult language and themes" however, when or how it will is not currently confirmed[7][8].

Rollout

The feature was originally limited to select groups during a trial period, where only members of selected groups could apply for verification slots and create age-restricted instances[1].

The first rollout begun December 17th, 2024, multiple selected groups were given access to age verification for group users.

On January 28th, 2025 the feature was rolled out to all VRC+ subscribers as an Early Access feature. There is currently no confirmed date as to when it will become available to all users.

Additional information

  • Verification Requirements: Users must submit an unedited photo of their government ID for it to be accepted as well as complete a "liveliness check" involving a selfie to ensure the person validating is the same as the person who owns the ID[9].
  • Optional: Age verification is not mandatory to use VRChat. However, to be able to access age-restricted instances and features a user must verify their age and be 18 or older[10].
  • Data Handling: ID data is retained by Persona for the minimum amount of time it takes to verify the user's birthdate and to create a unique one-way cryptographic hash utilizing data from the user's provided ID. This hash is stored on VRChat's servers for that user's account and all ID data is deleted on Persona's end, the irreversible cryptographic hash and user's verified Date of Birth remain on VRChat's servers.[11]
    • Note: Deleting verification data in VRChat will result in the user's account being unusable until they accept the Terms of Service and input their birthdate again. This will also result in verification status being removed from that account unless it is reverified.
  • One ID Per Account: One ID 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[12].
  • 18+ ≠ Sexually Explicit Content: 18+ Age verification or age-restricted instances do not waive the Terms of Service or Community Guidelines policy on pornographic content.

Official resources

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Introducing Age Verification | Developer Update #vrchat." YouTube, uploaded by VRChat, 27 Nov. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odiNjIFUNvw. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
  2. ↑ VRChat. "Age Verification is now available for VRC+ Subscribers!..." Bluesky, 28 Jan. 2025, https://bsky.app/profile/vrchat.com/post/3lgtoi5ho2227.
  3. ↑ https://docs.withpersona.com/reference/government-id-verifications Government ID Verifications on withpersona.com; retrieved December 9, 2024.
  4. ↑ Persona. Privacy Policy. https://withpersona.com/legal/privacy-policy. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
  5. ↑ Persona. Security. https://withpersona.com/security. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
  6. ↑ Tupper (2024, December 2). Age Verification FAQ. VRChat Forum. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://ask.vrchat.com/t/age-verification-faq/28458#p-58953-what-if-i-dont-live-in-the-eu-or-california-10
  7. ↑ Tupper (2024, December 3). Age Verification FAQ. VRChat Forum. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://ask.vrchat.com/t/age-verification-faq/28458#p-58953-when-will-content-gating-be-affected-by-age-verification-39
  8. ↑ Tupper (2024, December 3). Age Verification FAQ. VRChat Forum. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://ask.vrchat.com/t/age-verification-faq/28458#p-58953-what-other-content-or-systems-will-be-affected-by-age-verification-35
  9. ↑ Tupper (2024, December 2). Age Verification FAQ. VRChat Forum. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://ask.vrchat.com/t/age-verification-faq/28458#p-58953-what-do-i-need-to-submit-to-verify-my-age-4
  10. ↑ Tupper (2024, December 2). Age Verification FAQ. VRChat Forum. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://ask.vrchat.com/t/age-verification-faq/28458#p-58953-is-age-verification-mandatory-6
  11. ↑ https://youtu.be/lzG9IwmM7TI
  12. ↑ Tupper (2024, December 2). Age Verification FAQ. VRChat Forum. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://ask.vrchat.com/t/age-verification-faq/28458#p-58953-can-i-use-the-same-id-to-verify-multiple-accounts-8
  13. ↑ VRChat (2024, November 18). VRChat Terms of Service. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://hello.vrchat.com/legal#:~:text=13.2.%20Prohibited%20Conduct
  14. ↑ VRChat (2024, August 12). VRChat Community Guidelines. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://hello.vrchat.com/community-guidelines
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