WSJ Tech News Briefing · Thursday, July 16, 2026
The UK's media watchdog, Ofcom, is investigating TikTok's age verification processes due to concerns they may fail to adequately prevent children from accessing harmful content. Under the Online Safety Act, social media firms are required to use effective age assurance methods. TikTok maintains confidence in its compliance and plans to work with Ofcom.
“The UK's media watchdog is investigating TikTok over how the company conducts age checks on its users to prevent children from seeing harmful content.”
“Under the Online Safety Act, social media companies are required to use highly effective age assurance methods to identify minors using their services.”
“The regulator Ofcom says TikTok's age estimation methods may have failed to correctly identify a significant proportion of children, exposing them to content like pornography.”
“A TikTok spokesperson said the company is confident it meets the law's requirements and will work with Ofcom to demonstrate its compliance.”