UK social media ban likely to require photo ID checks
Advice comes after the U.K. government vowed to take a tougher approach than Australia to enforcing its own ban.
LONDON — The U.K.'s online safety regulator, Ofcom, suggests that the upcoming social media ban for under-16s could necessitate older teens to present a form of photo ID. In a government-commissioned report, Ofcom has identified four highly effective methods to verify users are 16 or older. These include photo ID matching, digital ID services, banking-based checks, and facial age estimation.
However, Ofcom acknowledges that circumventing these age checks is possible, and some children will likely find ways to bypass them. The U.K. government aims to implement the ban, which will require platforms to use "highly effective age assurance" to identify underage users. Ofcom CEO Melanie Dawes emphasized the importance of getting the age checks right for children's online experiences.
While the age verification process involves handling personal data, Ofcom assured that available methods can be implemented in a privacy-compliant manner. The regulator also advised social media platforms to take measures to deter circumvention, such as enabling users to report suspected underage accounts and employing age inference technology to spot activity from underage users.
Ofcom plans to consult on additional guidance for platforms once regulations to implement the social media ban are introduced.
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