Ofcom shortlists four age checks for UK under-16 social media ban
Original title: Shortlist of age checks for the UK's under-16 social media ban is out, 'some' adults will need verifying
Photo ID, banking, digital ID and facial estimation remain; about 150,000 teens aged 16–17 lack photo ID.
Ofcom proposed four highly effective age-assurance methods for the planned UK under-16 social media ban: photo-ID matching, banking checks, digital ID services and facial age estimation. It says some adults may be inferred as over 16 from prior activity, while many will still need verification. Ofcom admits circumvention cannot be eliminated and plans to monitor it for 12 months after enforcement. Big Brother Watch called the plan a back-door identity system that will lock out people without ID.
Unconfirmed: The government has not yet published the first regulations, and the article cuts off before detailing them.
- Four of seven earlier methods remain viable for checking age 16.
- About 94% of UK 16–17-year-olds have photo ID; around 150,000 do not.
- An estimated 90% of 16–17-year-olds have a bank account.
- Facial estimation has a multi-year error margin and may need a second check.
- Ofcom says it will act against noncompliant platforms when the ban takes effect next year.
- Organizations
- OfcomBig Brother Watch
- Countries
- United KingdomAustralia
From the original article
4 min read at theregister.comThe UK’s comms watchdog has put forward four methods of checking netizens aren't kids – dubbed highly effective age assurance (HEAA) – as it prepares for the proposed under-16 social media ban.
By Connor Jones · theregister.com
A short excerpt; the article and its images belong to the publisher. Summary, key facts and assessment above are AI-written from the article and can be wrong.