Britain's media regulator, Ofcom, announced an investigation into TikTok on Thursday to determine if the platform is complying with child safety standards. The probe will examine whether the company’s UK unit has established adequate systems to identify child users and prevent them from accessing harmful content.
The investigation follows a government ban implemented last month that prohibits children under the age of 16 from using social media and restricts their access to gaming and live-streaming platforms. Ofcom previously stated in May that TikTok had not provided sufficient details regarding its protections for minors under the Online Safety Act.
TikTok denied any breach of regulations, stating that it uses advanced age inference technology and expert-informed rules to ensure age-appropriate experiences. A spokesperson for the company said TikTok is confident it meets its legal obligations and intends to cooperate with Ofcom to demonstrate compliance. Ofcom noted that the opening of the probe does not imply a final determination of wrongdoing.