The UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and Ofcom have jointly ordered social media and video-sharing platforms to implement robust age assurance measures. These regulators aim to enforce existing terms of service that prohibit children under 13 from accessing these sites. The initiative seeks to protect minors from harmful content and data misuse.
Regulators stated that simple age self-declaration no longer meets compliance standards. This directive aligns with the UK Online Safety Act, which mandates rigorous age verification.
Non-compliant companies face severe financial penalties. Ofcom may issue fines reaching 10% of a firm's total global revenue.