# Ofcom outlines ways social media can verify ages of users

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/ofcom-outlines-ways-social-media-can-verify-ages-of-users/
- Published: 2026-10-29T05:57:15+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-29T06:33:32+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Technology (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6ly3027820lo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Technology

## Key points

- Ofcom proposes four ways to check users’ ages.
- The planned ban would stop under-16s using major platforms.
- Social media firms would remain responsible for checks.

## Summary

Ofcom has recommended four ways social media companies could check whether UK users are aged 16 or over, ahead of a planned ban on under-16s using major platforms. The measures are subject to government approval, and the regulator says providers must choose checks that protect privacy and personal data.

The proposed methods are matching photo ID to a live image, checks using age information held by banks, facial age estimation and digital ID services. Many adults may also need to prove they are old enough, potentially affecting a large number of accounts. Ofcom says checks cannot prevent every child from bypassing the rules, and that responsibility for implementing them remains with social media companies, even if checks are also made at device level.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.