Why Are We Asking for a Face Photo?

What's Changing?

Whether you're a new or existing user in the UK, you'll need to upload at least one clear photo that shows your face. This helps us confirm that you meet the minimum age requirement to use OtterHalf.

Why This Matters

The UK's Online Safety Act now requires that online platforms use "Highly Effective Age Assurance" methods to protect young people online. Our automated photo review process helps us ensure that all OtterHalf members are adults, as required by law and our Terms of Service.

What Happens After You Upload Your Photo

Once you upload your profile photos:

We'll use automated technology to confirm that at least one of your profile photos is a solo photo of you and to detect your face. If we do not detect a solo face photo, you'll be prompted to upload one.

When we detect a face photo, we'll scan the photo to assess the likelihood that you're over the age of 18.

1. If we detect that you're most likely over 18, you're free to use OtterHalf and will be directed to the Discover Page.
2. If we detect that you're most likely under 18, your account will be removed.
   • To return to OtterHalf, you'll need to submit an appeal. If you appeal, our team will ask you to complete an ID verification to confirm your age.
3. If there's any uncertainty that you're under 18, your profile will be sent to a trained moderator for manual review.
   • For New Users:
     The review will typically take about 24 hours. While we review your profile, you can send Likes or Skip profiles in Discover. However, any Likes you send won't be delivered until after we've completed the manual review.
   • For Current Users:
     Your Likes will be delivered as normal during the review.

What Happens to My Data After the Age Check?

Once the check is complete, your photo will be kept for up to three months for the purpose of the age check. Thereafter, your hashed age check photo and age assurance results are kept for one year. Otherwise:

• Your account photos are processed as part of your profile in the normal course. This means that OtterHalf will keep your photos for the life of the account (plus the applicable retention period following account closure or ban), and the photos will continue to be visible on your profile until you replace them.
• OtterHalf retains moderation records for the life of the account (plus the applicable retention period following account closure or ban).

OtterHalf may use the results of your age check to train select machine learning models that power our trust and safety tools, as well as to test and audit such models and tools.

This age assurance process helps us keep the OtterHalf community safe and aligned with the values we care about most—authenticity, courage and empathy.

For more information about how and why we moderate, check out our article Automated Decision Making and Profiling at OtterHalf.

For more information about how OtterHalf processes your personal data, please review our Privacy Policy and our Help Center article, .