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The UK Online Safety Act Is Now Law — What Shopify Merchants Need to Know

Illustration of age verification for online shopping: A computer screen displays “18+” content, surrounded by a security shield, an ID card, a no-VPN icon, and a Shopify shopping bag, all set against a purple background.
On July 25, 2025, the UK officially enforced the Online Safety Act — a sweeping law aimed at protecting children online. But its impact goes far beyond social media. If you're a Shopify merchant selling regulated products (like adult items, supplements, or vapes), this law affects your legal obligations, especially around age verification.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Online Safety Act now legally requires age verification for all 18+ content and products
  • Merchants selling adult or age-restricted goods must verify customer age — or face fines and restrictions
  • Platforms can be penalized for showing adult content to underage users without proper checks
  • Wall ID helps Shopify stores stay compliant with plug-and-play age verification and safe checkout options
  • VPN usage and non-compliant gateways may be flagged or restricted by UK ISPs

What the UK Online Safety Act Means for Shopify Sellers in 2025

The UK Online Safety Act is designed to enforce child safety across the internet. It mandates:

  • Mandatory age verification for all adult content
  • Accountability for platforms hosting harmful content
  • Reporting requirements for online services
  • Fines and ISP blocks for non-compliance

While it's aimed at big tech, it also applies to merchants selling age-restricted goods. If you sell adult products, vapes, supplements with health claims, or similar — your store must implement verified age checks.

New Age Verification Rules for Online Sales (UK 2025)

Under the new law, simply asking users to "confirm they're over 18" isn’t enough. Acceptable methods now include:

  • Photo ID (driver’s license, passport)
  • Bank verification
  • Facial recognition

Merchants are expected to use approved tools to validate customer age before checkout or product visibility.

Failure to comply can result in platform takedowns, fines up to £18M, or ISP restrictions.

What Happens If You Ignore the Law?

  • Store Suspension — Shopify may flag or suspend your store
  • Massive Fines — Regulators can fine up to £18M
  • Blocked Visibility — Search engines or ISPs may block access to your site
  • Payment Bans — Payment providers might ban your account

Why Wall ID Is a Safe, Compliant Option

Wall ID helps UK Shopify merchants meet the new Online Safety Act standards with minimal friction. It includes:

  • Secure age verification integrated at checkout
  • Compatible with regulated product categories (adult, vape, supplements)
  • FCA-regulated Pay by Bank checkout that avoids card flags and bans
  • Instant settlement — no freezes or chargebacks

Whether you’re setting up a new store or need to stay legal under the new law, Wall ID simplifies compliance and keeps your revenue flowing.

Payment Provider Comparison

Feature Wall ID (Pay by Bank) Shopify Payments (Stripe) PayPal
Accepts Regulated Products Yes No No
Built-In Age Verification Yes No No
FCA Regulated Yes Yes Yes
Risk of Freezes No High High
Instant Payouts Yes No No

“WallidPay’s direct-from-bank payments feel way more secure than entering card info online. No more worrying about fraud or chargebacks. It's the future of online payments, especially in the UK.”

– David H, UK Shopify Merchant

Speakable

UK merchants selling adult, vape, or supplement products on Shopify must now comply with the Online Safety Act. Age verification is mandatory. Wall ID provides a secure, FCA-regulated checkout and built-in age checks to keep your store compliant and revenue-safe. Want to stay live without legal risk?Install Pay by Bank on Shopify.

FAQ

Do all Shopify stores need age verification now?

Only if you're selling adult, vape, or other age-restricted items. But many platforms now require it by default to avoid regulatory risk.

What happens if I don’t verify customer age?

You risk getting blocked by Shopify, fined by regulators, or even de-listed by search engines or ISPs.

Does Wall ID help with age verification?

Yes. Wall ID offers optional age verification tools that integrate directly with your Shopify checkout.

Is Pay by Bank safe under the new law?

Yes. Wall ID’s Pay by Bank is FCA-regulated and designed to meet UK compliance standards — including those set by the Online Safety Act.

About the Author

This article was created by the team at Wallid, experts in regulated payments and compliance for UK Shopify merchants.

As the UK Online Safety Act takes effect, we help merchants selling adult products, vapes, supplements, and other age-restricted goods stay compliant with built-in age verification and FCA-regulated Pay by Bank checkout.

Wallid’s mission is to keep high-risk stores legal, live, and profitable — without chargebacks, platform bans, or payment freezes. Learn more at wallid.co.

2025-07-30 13:27