Kids Web Services

Last updated

Kids Web Services
Type Age verification
Website www.kidswebservices.com OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Kids Web Services (KWS) is an online age verification service operated by a subsidiary of Epic Games.

The KWS software was developed as a parental consent management toolkit by London-based start-up company SuperAwesome, which in 2020 received indirect financial backing from Microsoft. [1] SuperAwesome was acquired by Epic Games later that year. [2] When SuperAwesome was demerged in a management buyout in January 2024, KWS was retained by Epic Games. [3]

In July 2025, social media company Bluesky began requiring users in the UK to register with KWS in order to access certain features, in response to the Online Safety Act 2023. [4] [5] [6]

Reviewers including Rupert Goodwins of The Register and Simon McGarr of The Gist have criticised the service for the amount of personal data gathered, and for the fact that such data could be acquired by an as-yet unknown third party if ever the business is sold. [4] [7]

References

  1. ↑ Sawers, Paul (27 January 2020). "Microsoft backs SuperAwesome amid growing demand for child safety tech". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on 30 September 2021 – via Internet Archive.
  2. ↑ Kerr, Chris (25 September 2020). "Epic Games acquires SuperAwesome to create a range of 'kid safe' services". Game Developer. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  3. ↑ "SuperAwesome Leadership acquires company from Epic Games". SuperAwesome. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  4. 1 2 Goodwins, Rupert (21 July 2025). "Selling your digital soul to use Bluesky's DMs is the law". The Register . Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  5. ↑ Roth, Emma (10 July 2025). "Bluesky is rolling out age verification in the UK". The Verge. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  6. ↑ Marshall, Carrie (11 July 2025). "Bluesky's bringing in UK age verification – expect other social networks to follow". T3. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  7. ↑ McGarr, Simon (13 July 2025). "Age Verification is an Epic fail". The Gist. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
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