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. 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.