Ofcom opens investigation into TikTok’s child safety, age verification measures

The United Kingdom’s communications regulator, Ofcom, has launched a formal investigation into TikTok to assess whether the social media platform is doing enough to protect children from harmful content and enforce effective age verification measures.

The investigation will examine TikTok’s compliance with the UK’s Online Safety Act, which requires digital platforms to implement measures that prevent children from accessing inappropriate content and ensure that underage users are adequately protected online.

According to Ofcom, the probe will focus on the effectiveness of TikTok’s age assurance systems and the safeguards it has in place to prevent children from being exposed to content that could be harmful, including material related to self-harm, eating disorders and violence.

The regulator said the investigation reflects its commitment to enforcing the Online Safety Act, which places legal obligations on technology companies to make their services safer for younger users.

An Ofcom spokesperson said the watchdog would assess whether TikTok’s systems are sufficient to reduce the risk of harmful content being recommended to children through its algorithms.

“Our goal is to ensure that digital services used by millions of young people are safe by design,” the spokesperson said, adding that the regulator would not hesitate to take enforcement action if it identifies serious breaches of the law.

The investigation comes amid growing international scrutiny of social media platforms and increasing calls for stronger protections for children online. Regulators in several countries have questioned whether existing age verification systems, which often rely on users self-declaring their age, are effective in preventing minors from accessing age-restricted content.

Responding to the investigation, TikTok said it remains committed to ensuring the safety of its users and will cooperate fully with Ofcom.

The company said it has invested heavily in safety technologies and employs thousands of trust and safety professionals worldwide. It also noted that it removes millions of accounts suspected of belonging to underage users every quarter as part of its ongoing enforcement efforts.

The outcome of Ofcom’s investigation is expected to be closely watched by regulators and policymakers around the world. Industry analysts say any significant enforcement action or changes required by the UK regulator could influence future online safety regulations and the operation of social media platforms in other jurisdictions.