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KYC Verification - Everything you need to know

Written by Adam

Identity Verification (KYC) at Tunearo

At Tunearo, we take the safety and integrity of our platform seriously. Part of that commitment is ensuring that every artist and label on our platform is who they say they are. This is where KYC verification comes in.


1. What is KYC Verification?

KYC stands for Know Your Customer. It is an identity verification process used by financial institutions, payment platforms, and distribution services worldwide to confirm the identity of their users.

KYC verification typically involves:

  • Submitting a government-issued photo ID (passport, driving licence, national ID card)

  • A liveness check to confirm you are a real person

  • A face match to verify your ID matches your appearance

KYC is a standard industry requirement and is not unique to Tunearo — you will find similar processes on platforms like PayPal, Wise, Spotify for Artists, and most banking apps.


2. Why Do We Use KYC Verification?

We require KYC verification for several important reasons:

Protecting artists and rights holders By verifying the identity of everyone on our platform, we ensure that only the legitimate owner of music can distribute and monetise it. This protects artists from having their work distributed by someone else without permission.

Preventing fraud and copyright infringement The music industry is unfortunately a target for fraud — from stolen artwork and plagiarised music to fake streams and revenue theft. KYC helps us identify and prevent bad actors from using Tunearo to distribute infringing or fraudulent content.

Compliance with UK law As a UK-based platform handling financial transactions and royalty payments, we are required to comply with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) guidelines. KYC verification is a legal requirement under these regulations.

Protecting our distribution partners Our distribution partners, including the DSPs (Digital Service Providers) your music is delivered to, require us to maintain a verified and compliant user base. KYC helps us uphold the standards expected by platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and TikTok.

Giving you peace of mind Knowing that every artist on Tunearo has been verified means you can trust that the platform is a safe and legitimate environment for your music career.


3. What Infrastructure Do We Use? — Didit

Tunearo uses Didit for all KYC verification. Didit is a leading identity verification provider trusted by businesses worldwide.

The Didit verification process includes three layers of checks:

ID Verification Didit scans and validates your government-issued photo ID, checking for authenticity and ensuring the document has not been tampered with or expired.

Liveness Verification A quick selfie or short video is used to confirm that you are a real, live person completing the verification — not a photo or recording.

Face Match Verification Didit compares your liveness selfie to the photo on your ID to confirm they match, ensuring the person submitting the ID is the same person who owns it.

All data processed by Didit is handled in accordance with UK GDPR and applicable data protection laws. Your personal information is used solely for identity verification purposes and is retained in line with our Privacy Policy and Anti-Money Laundering obligations.

For more information about Didit, visit didit.me.


4. How Long Does KYC Verification Take?

The verification process itself takes just 2 to 5 minutes to complete on your device.

Once submitted, results typically reflect within a few hours.

In some instances, additional manual review may be required. If this happens:

  • You will be notified by our support team

  • Manual reviews are typically completed within 24 hours

  • Our team may contact you if any additional information is needed

Tips for a smooth verification:

  • Use a valid, unexpired government-issued ID

  • Ensure your ID photo is clear and not obscured

  • Complete the liveness check in a well-lit environment

  • Make sure your face is clearly visible and unobstructed

If you experience any issues with your KYC verification, please contact our support team at [email protected] and we will be happy to assist.

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