Learn how the UK OSA and France’s SREN impact creator platforms. Discover how ProperUser’s "Highly Effective Age Assurance" solves global compliance.
In 2026, the digital landscape for creator platforms and subscription-based services has shifted from "self-regulation" to "strict enforcement." With the UK Online Safety Act (OSA) now in full swing and France’s SREN law setting a global precedent for "Double Anonymity," platforms can no longer rely on simple "I am 18" tick-boxes.
For platforms like LovesFeet.com, these regulations aren't just legal hurdles—they are existential threats to their merchant accounts and brand reputation. The "Trust Gap" between what regulators demand and what users are willing to provide is widening.
Here is how ProperUser.com bridges that gap using Regulatory De-risking and advanced KYC for Creators.
Ofcom and the ICO have made it clear: self-declaration is dead. Under the OSA, any platform hosting "Primary Priority Content" (including adult material and creator-led subscription services) must implement Highly Effective Age Assurance (HEAA).
To meet the HEAA standard in 2026, a system must prove four key pillars:
Technical Accuracy: Minimizing "false positives" where minors gain access.
Robustness: Preventing circumvention, such as the use of VPNs or static photos.
Reliability: Consistent performance across different devices and lighting conditions.
Fairness: Ensuring the AI doesn't discriminate based on skin tone or gender.
ProperUser’s engine utilizes AI-driven facial age estimation. Unlike traditional ID uploads that can cause high user drop-off, this technology estimates age by analyzing facial geometry in real-time. If the user is clearly over the threshold, they gain access instantly. If they are "borderline," the system triggers a seamless biometric ID check to ensure 100% certainty.
One of the biggest friction points in identity verification is user fear: "Does this platform now have my government ID stored next to my search history?"
France’s SREN Law has codified the solution that ProperUser pioneered: Double Anonymity. This is a core feature of our verification protocol.
The Platform (e.g., LovesFeet.com) receives a token confirming the user is 18+, but never sees or stores the user's identity documents.
The Verifier (ProperUser) confirms the age but never knows which specific platform or content the user is visiting.
This "Zero-Knowledge" approach ensures that even in the event of a platform-side data breach, no sensitive identity data is exposed because it was never stored there in the first place. For creator platforms, this privacy-first approach is the only way to maintain a high conversion rate.
Compliance isn't just about avoiding Ofcom fines (which can reach 10% of global revenue). It’s about Merchant Protection.
Payment processors like Visa and Mastercard have strict "High-Risk" categories for adult and creator platforms. High chargeback rates from "friendly fraud"—where a user claims their child made a purchase without permission—can lead to immediate account bans and the freezing of funds.
By implementing ProperUser’s biometric checks, platforms gain a significant merchant edge:
Eliminate "Child-Made-Purchase" Disputes: You have biometric proof that the account holder was present and verified at the time of access.
Reduce Bot Fraud: AI liveness detection ensures that every creator and subscriber is a real human, not a bot farm.
Satisfy PSP Audits: Having a "Verified by ProperUser" badge tells Payment Service Providers (PSPs) that your platform is a low-risk, compliant partner.
The 2026 regulatory environment is a patchwork. You have the UK’s OSA, the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), and various US State-level ID requirements in regions like Texas, Virginia, and Utah.
Managing these individually is a logistical nightmare for a growing platform. ProperUser acts as a universal compliance layer. Our system automatically detects the user's jurisdiction and triggers the specific workflow required for that region—whether it’s a strict ID match for US users or a Double Anonymity flow for those in France.
Why spend on IDV?
Lower Transaction Fees: Platforms with robust KYC often negotiate better rates with PSPs.
Zero Fines: Total protection against the UK’s 10% global revenue penalty.
Higher Creator Retention: Creators flock to platforms where they know their content is behind a "high-trust" wall, significantly reducing the risk of content leakage to minors.
The "Trust Gap" is real, but it is also an opportunity. Platforms that embrace Highly Effective Age Assurance early aren't just following the law—they are building a safer, more profitable ecosystem.
For platforms like LovesFeet.com, ProperUser isn't just a gatekeeper. It’s the engine that ensures creators stay paid, users stay private, and the platform stays online.
Ready to de-risk your platform? Contact ProperUser today for a compliance audit.
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