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TikTok faces Ofcom investigation over child age checks

Ofcom has launched a formal investigation into TikTok's age-verification systems, particularly its use of "age inference" technology, citing serious doubts about whether these tools meet the "highly effective" standard required by the Online Safety Act. The probe signals that regulatory enforcement is expanding from adult content sites to mainstream social media platforms, with potential severe penalties under a regime Meta is already challenging in court.

This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Social & Community. Wire is Fusion42's founder-focused intelligence feed: each story is connected to the funds and startups it names — every one with a live profile on Raise or Scout — so founders can follow the capital and the momentum behind the headline rather than just the headline itself. Wire analysis is one of the live surfaces Arthur, Fusion42's AI co-founder, reasons over.

The Wire takeaway

If you run a platform with users under 16, Ofcom now believes age inference doesn't work and is fining companies accordingly—Meta's court challenge proves the penalties are big enough to fight. Your age-check method needs to prove it's "highly effective" or you're next in the enforcement queue.

Read the full story at bmmagazine.co.uk

Topics: Social & Community · age-verification · online-safety-act · child-protection · social-media-regulation · ofcom-enforcement

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Verified 16 July 2026 · Sources: Fusion42 review