Death Stranding's Photo Mode Raises Concerns About UK's Age Verification System
Introduction
The UK recently implemented a new age verification system for online platforms like Reddit and Discord. However, it seems that this system can easily be circumvented by using the photo mode in the popular game, Death Stranding. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of the age verification process and the potential risks for underage users.
Key Details
Many gamers have been using Death Stranding's photo mode to bypass the age verification checks on platforms like Bluesky and Reddit. This is because the photo mode allows players to change their in-game appearance, making it difficult for the verification process to accurately determine their age. Additionally, some users have reported that they were able to create multiple accounts on these platforms by using different in-game characters.
This issue has sparked a debate about the reliability of age verification systems and the responsibility of online platforms to ensure the safety of underage users. It also raises questions about the potential consequences of underage users having access to mature content and interactions on these platforms.
Impact
The ease with which gamers can bypass the UK's age verification system using Death Stranding's photo mode highlights the need for a more robust and reliable process. Online platforms must take greater responsibility for protecting underage users and ensure that their age verification systems are not easily circumvented. This also serves as a reminder for parents and guardians to monitor their children's online activities and educate them about
About the Organizations Mentioned
Reddit is a leading American social news aggregation, discussion, and forum platform where registered users submit content such as links, text posts, and images, which are then voted up or down by other users. Founded in 2005, Reddit has evolved into a vast network of communities dedicated to virtually every topic imaginable, fostering engagement through user-driven content and conversations. Its mission centers on empowering diverse communities and making their collective knowledge accessible to everyone[1][2]. Initially owned by Condé Nast, Reddit became an independent company while Advance Publications, Condé Nast's parent, retained majority ownership. Headquartered in San Francisco, Reddit has expanded significantly, doubling its workforce in 2017 to approximately 350 employees by 2018. Key leadership includes co-founder and CEO Steve Huffman, CTO Chris Slowe, and COO Jen Wong, reflecting a blend of technical and media expertise[1]. Reddit's influence extends beyond typical social media, exemplified by the 2021 GameStop short squeeze, which was largely organized on its r/wallstreetbets subreddit, illustrating the platform’s unique power in shaping real-world financial events. The company also experimented with blockchain technology through site-specific cryptocurrencies like Reddit Moons, though these faced regulatory and scalability challenges leading to their discontinuation in late 2023[1]. Financially, Reddit has demonstrated robust growth. As of Q2 2025, it reported $500 million in revenue, up 78% year-over-year, with net income of $89 million. Its user base is enormous and growing, with 110.4 million daily active users and 416.4 million weekly active users as of mid-2025, underscoring its position as one of the most vibrant and engaged online communities worldwide[3][2]. Notably, Reddit maintains a distinct corporate culture with transparent salary policies and generous parental leave, emphasizing employee well-being alongside innovation. Its blend of community-driven content, technological experimentation, and strong financial performance makes Reddi
Discord
**Discord: Revolutionizing Online Communities** Discord, founded by Jason Citron and Stanislav Vishnevskiy in 2015, is a pioneering social media platform designed initially to facilitate seamless communication among gamers. Citron, having previously founded OpenFeint, a social gaming platform for mobile games, leveraged his experience to address a significant problem: the lack of reliable voice-over-IP (VoIP) solutions for gamers. This led to the development of Discord, a platform that offers real-time text, voice, and video chat services, all accessible at no initial cost. **History and Key Achievements** - **Early Days**: Citron and Vishnevskiy began developing Discord after recognizing the need for a more efficient communication tool for gamers. Their first product, *Fates Forever*, laid the groundwork for Discord's features. - **Launch and Growth**: Discord officially launched on May 13, 2015, with a focus on user-friendly design and minimal performance impact. Its early adoption strategy targeted gaming communities and influencers, which quickly expanded its user base. - **Notable Features**: Discord introduced servers—customizable, invitation-only social hubs where members can collaborate. It also offers cross-platform support and built-in encryption for data security. **Current Status and Notable Aspects** - **Global Reach**: Today, Discord is not just for gamers; it has become a central platform for various online communities, including teens and social groups. - **Innovation**: Discord's use of Elixir for the backend, React for the frontend, and WebRTC for voice communication has enabled high-quality, real-time interactions. Its mobile-first design ensures a seamless cross-platform experience. - **Financial Milestones**: Recently valued at $7 billion, Discord has secured significant funding, positioning it as a major player in the tech industry. Discord's success reflects its ability to adapt and innovate, transforming from a niche gaming tool to a global community platform. Its emphasis on user experience and scalability
Bluesky
## Overview and Purpose Bluesky is a decentralized, text-based social media platform founded as a response to the limitations of traditional, centralized networks like Twitter/X[2][3]. Its core mission is to create a more open, customizable, and user-controlled online social experience by leveraging the AT Protocol, an open communication protocol for distributed social networks[2][3][7]. Unlike conventional platforms, Bluesky enables users and developers to shape the network’s features—such as algorithmic feeds, moderation tools, and community-building features—without relying on a single corporate authority[2][7]. ## History and Development Bluesky originated in 2019 as a research initiative within Twitter, led by then-CEO Jack Dorsey, who envisioned a decentralized future for social media[3]. After Twitter’s acquisition by Elon Musk in late 2022 and the ensuing platform turmoil, Bluesky accelerated its development, becoming an independent company in 2021[3]. It launched as an invite-only service in February 2023 and opened to the public in February 2024[2][3]. By May 2024, Dorsey had severed formal ties with the organization, which is now led by CEO Jay Graber[2][3]. ## Growth and Key Achievements Bluesky’s growth has been meteoric, especially following the 2024 U.S. presidential election, which triggered a significant migration of users from X/Twitter to more progressive, ad-free alternatives[1][4]. The platform’s user base skyrocketed from 13 million in late October 2024 to over 33 million by March 2025, with monthly visits exceeding 196 million[1]. At its peak, Bluesky boasted 2.5 million daily active users, though engagement has since declined to 1.5 million daily users as of September 2025[3]. A key innovation is Bluesky’s “marketplace of algorithms,” offering
