{
  "id": 17063185,
  "title": "Millions face ID checks under UK social media ban as Ofcom warns of loopholes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/millions-face-id-checks-under-uk-social-media-ban-as-ofcom-warns-of",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-29T12:44:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "City AM",
    "slug": "city-am",
    "url": "https://www.cityam.com/millions-face-id-checks-under-uk-social-media-ban-as-ofcom-warns-of-loopholes/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "British social media users may soon have to prove their age through government-approved methods under new proposals by the communications regulator Ofcom. The watchdog has identified four reliable methods for determining if users are at least 16 years old before enforcing a ban on under-16s, set to come into effect next March. These methods include photo ID matching, banking-based checks, digital ID services, and facial age estimation. Ofcom chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes emphasized the importance of getting the age verification system right, stating that the ban will significantly impact children's online experiences. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat will be required to implement these checks, potentially affecting adult users as well. However, some children might find ways to circumvent the restrictions, and facial age estimation systems can be inaccurate by several years. Ofcom suggested adopting a similar approach to retailers' Challenge 25 policy, requiring further proof of age when uncertainty remains. Approximately 150,000 British 16- and 17-year-olds lack a passport or driving license, which could complicate their ability to access social media. Although around 90% of individuals in the target age group have a bank account, offering an alternative verification method, law firm Osborne Clarke's Georgina Graham warned that differing rules across countries could complicate compliance for international tech firms. The proposals will be considered by ministers, who are expected to publish detailed regulations before the end of the year.",
  "summary": "Millions of British social media users could be forced to verify their age using passports or facial scans under new proposals from Ofcom, as the regulator prepares to enforce the government’s ban on under-16s. The watchdog on Thursday identified four methods it considers sufficiently reliable to determine whether users are aged 16 or over, ahead [...]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}