Ofcom outlines ways social media can verify users’ ages

Ofcom has recommended four methods it considers highly effective for checking social media users’ ages in the UK: photo ID matching, banking-based checks, facial age estimation and digital ID services. The measures could support a ban due to take effect next March, barring under-16s from ten major platforms, including Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat. Subject to government approval, adults may also have to prove they are old enough to use the services. Ofcom chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes said tech companies would choose how to implement checks, while safeguarding privacy and personal data.