Overview

• Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, has published guidance requiring services with pornographic or adult content to implement strict age verification by July 2025.
• Dating apps like Grindr and Tinder must also adopt effective age assurance measures to prevent children under 18 from accessing their platforms.
• Approved verification methods include photo ID matching, facial age estimation, open banking, mobile network operator checks, and digital ID wallets.
• The regulations stem from the Online Safety Act of 2023, which aims to shield children from harmful online content and hold platforms accountable for compliance.
• Critics have raised concerns about privacy risks, data security, and potential digital exclusion associated with some verification methods.