Telegram: Show Your Face — and Welcome to Adult Content
The messenger has launched an official age verification bot.
The messenger has launched an official age verification bot.
Telegram has introduced an official bot designed to verify users’ age through facial scanning. As reported by Durov’s Code, the feature is currently unavailable in Russia and is limited to the United Kingdom, where legislation requires online platforms to confirm whether a user is of legal age.
This verification is necessary to access adult content. According to the bot’s description:
The new requirements came into effect in the UK on July 25, mandating that online services protect young audiences from harmful content — including material related to self-harm, suicide, eating disorders, and pornography. The updated law also aims to shield minors from cyberbullying, propaganda, and offensive materials.
Platforms hosting adult content are now legally required to verify users’ age. Failure to comply may result in fines of up to £18 million or 10% of a company’s annual revenue. Age checks must involve facial recognition technology or other reliable methods such as credit card verification.
According to the BBC, around 6,000 porn websites have already started implementing such age checks. Similar measures are being adopted by other platforms as well, including Reddit, Discord, and various dating apps.
