The UK government is ramping up pressure on media regulator Ofcom to impose stricter age verification measures on tech giants like YouTube and TikTok. This move aims to better protect children from inappropriate content and prevent the unauthorized collection of their personal data.
In a newly published document outlining its strategic priorities for the regulator, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) emphasised that protecting children online is a "critical priority". The directive calls for Ofcom to "robustly implement" the new powers granted to it by the Online Safety Act.
Closing the "Age Estimation" Loophole
A key focus is closing potential loopholes that allow platforms to use less reliable methods for determining a user's age. The government has explicitly instructed Ofcom to ensure that services cannot rely solely on self-declaration for age assurance.
The guidance states that Ofcom must require platforms to use "highly effective" age verification or estimation tools. This could include methods such as verifying official documents like a passport or driver's licence, or using sophisticated facial age estimation technology.
Shielding Young Users from Harm and Data Harvesting
The push for tougher checks is twofold. Firstly, it is designed to prevent children from accessing age-inappropriate and potentially harmful content, such as material related to self-harm, eating disorders, or pornography.
Secondly, it seeks to stop the widespread practice of tracking and profiling children for advertising purposes. Under current systems, a child can easily lie about their age, creating an account that allows platforms to harvest their data and serve them targeted ads, circumventing protections.
The Road Ahead for Ofcom and Tech Giants
Ofcom is currently in the process of consulting on its first set of codes of practice under the Online Safety Act. The finalised guidance for protecting children is expected to be published and come into force in early 2025.
This firm stance from the government signals a significant upcoming compliance challenge for major social media platforms operating in the UK. They will need to invest in and implement far more robust systems to verify the age of their users or face the prospect of substantial fines from the regulator.
