Strava could be caught by the UK's ban on social media for under-16s amid reports that the government is considering widening the definition of the services it intends to cover. Political blog Guido Fawkes included Strava in its list of services it said were set to be covered by the expanded ban, though that is not an official determination of which platforms will fall within scope. The platform is used by riders from junior club level to the WorldTour, many of whom upload their training publicly.
The Guardian reported that sources briefed on the government's proposals said as many as 150 platforms could be covered. The proposal under consideration centres on recommendation systems and content made by users, rather than conventional social networks alone. The ban is due to begin in March 2027.
In a Commons debate on November 2, Ian Murray, the minister for online safety, said: "We will not be naming platforms directly in the regulations. Ofcom will subsequently apply the regulations to the social media companies and then determine whether it will produce a list of the companies that are in scope."
Strava matches both parts of the working definition. Its privacy policy lists routes and segments created by users, along with photographs, clips, written entries, replies and messages. It also says the platform makes suggestions about challenges and clubs, as well as routes, segments and people to follow, and uses machine learning for route recommendations and training guidance. Athletes can follow one another, give kudos and comment on activities.
How Strava already treats younger riders
Athletes may open an account from age 13, but those who have not turned 16 are unable to upload heart-rate data or receive heart-rate analysis. For under-18s who joined after September 3, 2021, Strava's default settings limit profiles and activities to followers. Their rides are excluded from segment and challenge leaderboards, the first and last 400 metres of each map are hidden, and Flyby is disabled. Most of these defaults can be changed. Messaging and Instant Workouts are unavailable to anyone under 18, and this restriction cannot be changed.
Murray said platforms could remove themselves from the restrictions through design changes. "The way back is to comply with the regulations and fall out of scope. That is an easy thing to say but not an easy thing to deliver, but that is the principle with which we will go forward on this," he told MPs.
He framed the test around "the algorithms, the recommender systems, the commenting systems or the conversations that can be had with strangers". Murray said there was no settled timetable for this route out; he expected it to be considered alongside a further round of regulations on features and functions, anticipated in spring 2027.
For now, the government's factsheet says: "Parents and children do not need to do anything right now."
