Payment processing partners like Mastercard and Visa have implemented two new requirements for Adult/18+ creators and platforms like Patreon that host Adult/18+ content:
REQUIREMENT 1: AGE VERIFICATION
This is a summary of the Age Verification requirement. For greater detail into the process, including measures we’re taking to ensure privacy, security, and inclusion, check out this frequently asked questions article in our Help Center.
Payment processors requires Patreon to verify the identifications of Adult/18+ content creators to ensure the creators are over 18. The requirement specifically applies to creators of Adult/18+ pages that include one or more works containing sexually explicit content or nudity. (If your page is currently categorized as Adult/18+ but contains no sexually explicit content or nudity — or if you choose to remove any such content — you are eligible to opt out of Age Verification by recategorizing from "Adult/18+" to "Safe for All Audiences.” Here’s how you can do that.)
Adult/18+ creators already on the platform who are actively receiving subscription payments from patrons began receiving prompts (email and on-platform) to initiate Age Verification in early 2023. At that point, Adult/18+ creators who have not recategorized as “Safe for All Audiences” can submit a government-issued identification to the secure, global vendor we’ve partnered with to verify creator ages. In the spirit of inclusivity, we have also developed a list of alternative (non-government) identifications that can also meet the requirement, so creators can choose the path that’s right for them. You can find out more about that option here. Eventually, creator payouts (and campaigns) will become contingent on Adult/18+ creators completing Age Verification.
You can read more about this in the Age Verification FAQ article in our Help Center.
REQUIREMENT 2: CONSENT DOCUMENTATION
Payment processing partners require Patreon to ensure that creators in the Adult/18+ category obtain written consent from real humans who participate in their creative works by being featured visually.
What does securing Consent Documentation entail?
To meet this requirement, Adult/18+ creators whose works visually feature real human participants other than themselves should document participant consent using this template, which Patreon translated into 18 languages for convenience.
Do we have to use the template form provided by Patreon, or will a general one do?
This participant consent template was updated as of May 2024 to meet the latest payment processor requirements. To ensure continued compliance with all requirements, Adult/18+ creators should use this template to document participant consent from May 2024 onward.
Do I need to use that form to obtain retroactive consent documentation from participants in past creative works?
Adult/18+ creators do not need to use this form to obtain retroactive consent from participants in past creative works, but should retain whatever form of consent documentation they did obtain at the time.
Once I document participant consent per the requirement, do I submit the document somewhere or retain it myself?
You should retain all participant consent documentation indefinitely. Upon request from a payment partner, Patreon may ask Adult/18+ creators to provide this documentation, which would then be shared with the requesting payment partner to demonstrate compliance with their rules.