Ofcom launches investigation into TikTok’s child safety checks
The regulator has previously criticised the platform for "failing" to take action despite overwhelming evidence of harm.
The social media site has previously said it was disappointed Ofcom had failed to acknowledge its safety features to protect under-16s.
Under the Online Safety Act, social media companies which do not ban harmful content, must use age checks to identify child users in order to protect them from harmful content on their service – including pornography, eating disorder, self-harm and suicide content.
TikTok currently uses a type of age assurance known as ‘age inference’, which involves analysing a user’s activity and behaviour on a platform to estimate whether they are a child or an adult.
Ofcom said in light of concerns, they have opened an investigation to establish whether TikTok’s age checks are effective in preventing children from encountering harmful content on its platform.
They added the opening of an investigation does not mean any conclusion about whether the provider has breached its duties have been breached.
However, where compliance failures have been identified, Ofcom can impose fines of up to £18m or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue (whichever is greater).
Last month, the government announced a social media ban for Under 16s.
TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube and Instagram are among the apps included in the ban which will take effect in Spring 2027.
Back in December, Australia became the first country in the world to introduce a similar ban last year.
A TikTok Spokesperson said: "We strictly enforce age-appropriate experiences through expert-informed platform rules and advanced age inference technologies, in line with major industry peers.
"In the eight years since TikTok launched in the UK, we have invested billions in platform safety.
"We are confident that we meet our Online Safety Act obligations and will work with Ofcom to demonstrate this."
Politics Editor
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