Mastercard has implemented requirements for adult/18+ creators and the platforms hosting them, Patreon included, starting October 15, 2021. Patreon relies on this payments infrastructure to accept digital pledge payments so creators can get paid. Below are answers to some of the most common adult/18+ creator questions about this. This Help Center article will be updated as additional resources become available.
What do Mastercard’s requirements entail, and which adult/18+ creators are affected by them?
One Mastercard requirement, (1) Age and Identity Verification, applies to all Patreon creators categorized as adult/18+, and the other, (2) Consent Documentation, applies only to adult/18+ creators whose work involves visual depictions of real people (photography and video content, for example, as opposed to audio or animated content). Questions specific to each of those requirements are listed below.
(1) AGE AND IDENTITY VERIFICATION
When and how will I submit my government-issued identification?
We are finalizing the submission process now, starting with adult/18+ creators just joining Patreon before expanding to those who have already launched on the platform. In the coming weeks or months, all creators categorized as adult/18+ will be presented with the opportunity to submit their government-issued identifications. But in the meantime, current adult/18+ creators do not yet need to submit identification.
Do I need to store identification information of people who participate in my adult/18+ content, or ask them to upload their identification anywhere?
We require that adult/18+ creators verify their ages and identities, but you do not need to store the identification information.
What sorts of government-issued identification are acceptable for me to submit?
Our secure third party vendor accepts government-issued identification in the form of drivers licenses, passports, and national IDs, and we are pursuing avenues that would enable adult/18+ creators to submit other forms of government-issued IDs as well. In the meantime and as stated above, adult/18+ creators do not yet need to submit any identification.
Will my government-issued identification, or any other personal data, be shared with, or stored by, either Mastercard or Patreon?
Neither Mastercard nor Patreon will collect or store this data, just as the personally identifiable information or age data of adult/18+ creators (or any creators) will not be shared with Mastercard.
What steps are being taken to keep my information safe?
Your privacy is incredibly important to us, and your information will not be shared publicly. We are using a distinct third party that specializes in the secure validation of government-issued identification and employs encryption in their security measures to do so. The organization has been audited by a PCI-certified auditor and is certified to PCI Service Provider Level 1, which is the most stringent level of certification available in the payments industry. The information of any creators who leave the platform will not be retained.
Will Patreon or Mastercard be cross-checking collected identification information with local laws where adult/18+ creators are located?
Based off of Mastercard’s new standards, we are only required to ensure the creator is above the age of 18 and that we can validate their identity.
(2) CONSENT DOCUMENTATION
Mastercard’s Consent Documentation requirement, which applies to content published October 15, 2021 and onward, applies only to adult/18+ creators whose content is visual in nature and features real people (photography, videos, etc.).
What does securing Consent Documentation entail?
This requirement involves documenting the consent of participants to participate in the content, and to the content being on Patreon. To save creators the step of hiring legal assistance or drafting a legal document themselves, we’ve developed a template (in multiple languages) that creators can use or refer to if they choose.
Once I document consent per Mastercard’s requirement, do I submit the document somewhere or retain it myself?
You should store the consent documentation yourself for a minimum of two years and be able to produce it upon request.
Do I need to obtain retroactive consent documentation for people featured in previously published content?
No. This documentation will be required for content published to Patreon starting October 15, 2021 (so it will not need to be acquired retroactively for content published prior to that date).
GENERAL QUESTIONS RELATED TO MASTERCARD REQUIREMENTS
Based on Patreon’s Community Guidelines, my content could be recategorized from adult/18+ to non-adult (safe for all audiences), in which case Mastercard’s requirements would no longer apply to me. How do I pursue re-categorization?
Our Trust & Safety team can work with you to explore the possibility of taking that step. Alternatively, if your current adult/18+ account is ineligible for re-categorization and you’d like to create a new, non-adult (safe for all audiences) account, we can support you in that transition. Reach out to Guidelines@Patreon.com.
Can I fulfill Mastercard’s requirements in a language other than English?
Yes, both the (1) Age and Verification and (2) Consent Documentation requirements can be fulfilled by creators in languages other than English. The vendor we’re enlisting for secure validation of identification is global in scope and able to accommodate different languages, and consent documentation forms are acceptable in other languages as well.
Will Mastercard’s requirements affect adult/18+ creator payouts in any way?
All creators categorized as adult/18+ will need to submit government-issued identification (although note: as stated above, no immediate action is required just yet). Once adult/18+ creators in the coming weeks or months are prompted to submit government-issued identification, they will need to do so in order for their payouts to be processed.
I have additional questions about Mastercard’s requirements.
We welcome additional questions! You can email CreatorPolicy@Patreon.com.