TikTok's age verification methods are under scrutiny as Ofcom investigates whether they meet UK safety standards, raising questions about how well the popular video-sharing platform protects children from online harm. The media watchdog is examining the company's reliance on 'age inference' technology, which estimates users' ages based on their behaviour rather than requiring formal proof of age.
Ofcom has concerns that this method may not be accurate enough, potentially missing a large number of child users. Under the UK's Online Safety Act (OSA), any system used to comply with these regulations must be highly effective at detecting children. TikTok claims it uses advanced age inference technologies and expert-informed rules to provide safe experiences for all users.
The company also highlighted significant investment in platform safety over eight years, stating it is confident in its compliance with the Online Safety Act and willing to work with Ofcom to demonstrate this. This investigation follows recent reports by Ofcom on children's online experiences and age assurance, which questioned the use of behavioural age estimation for OSA compliance.
Should Ofcom find TikTok in breach of its duties, the consequences could be substantial. The regulator has the authority to impose fines of up to £18 million or 10 per cent of TikTok's global revenue, whichever amount is higher. In severe cases, Ofcom may seek court orders to block access to the service in the UK or cut off advertising and payment providers.
The probe aligns with broader efforts to enhance online protections for children, including new measures set to be introduced by ministers next year. These include a social media ban for under-16s and default overnight curfews for 16 and 17-year-olds. Ofcom has indicated its readiness to collaborate with the government on implementing these forthcoming regulations.
Experts are watching closely as this investigation unfolds, highlighting it as an example of how the Online Safety Act is moving from guidance into active enforcement. Joanna Ludlam, co-chair of Jenner & Block's investigations practice, noted that any platform relying on inference-based age checks should take notice and view this as a critical compliance signal.