How long do AI art sites keep your age verification data?
Typical Retention Policies
The length of time an AI art site keeps your age verification data depends on its privacy policy and the third-party verification service it uses. Some platforms only store a token or confirmation that you are verified, deleting the actual ID documents immediately after checking. Others may retain the data for a set period, such as 30 days, 90 days, or even several years, to comply with legal requirements or for audit purposes.
In the European Union, data protection laws like GDPR require that personal data be kept only as long as necessary for the purpose it was collected. This often means verification data is deleted shortly after verification. In the U.S., there is no federal equivalent, so retention periods can be longer and vary by state. Some states, like California, have privacy laws that may limit retention.
- Immediate deletion after verification (some platforms)
- 30-90 days (common for many services)
- Up to several years (for legal compliance)
- Token-based storage (only confirmation, not ID)
- Varies by provider and jurisdiction
How to Check Retention Policies
To find out how long a specific site keeps your data, check its privacy policy or terms of service. Look for sections on 'age verification,' 'data retention,' or 'third-party services.' If the information isn't clear, contact the platform's support team. Reputable platforms will explain what data is collected, how it's used, and how long it's kept.
Keep in mind that even if the platform deletes your data, the third-party verification provider may retain it according to its own policies. You may need to check the provider's privacy policy as well. If you're concerned about privacy, consider using platforms that offer immediate deletion or token-based verification.
Common mistakes
- Assuming all sites delete your ID immediately—many retain it for months or years.
- Believing that the platform's retention policy is the only one that matters—third-party verifiers may have different policies.
- Thinking that you have no control over your data—you can often request deletion under privacy laws like GDPR or CCPA.