Britain’s communications regulator, Ofcom, has opened an investigation into TikTok’s UK operations to assess whether the platform has complied with its obligations to protect children from harmful online content under the country’s Online Safety Act.
As per a report by Reuters, the regulator said the probe will examine whether TikTok has robust systems to identify child users and whether it has implemented effective safeguards to stop minors from being exposed to content that could pose a risk to their wellbeing.
The investigation follows increased regulatory attention on online platforms after the UK government recently announced stricter rules for younger users, including a broad social media ban for those under 16 and additional restrictions on gaming and livestreaming services.
Ofcom clarified that launching the investigation does not imply the company has violated the law. Instead, the inquiry is intended to determine whether TikTok’s existing policies, technologies and enforcement mechanisms meet the standards required under the UK’s online safety framework.
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The regulator had previously raised concerns about TikTok’s child protection measures, stating earlier this year that the company had not sufficiently explained how it planned to reduce children’s exposure to harmful material.
TikTok rejected suggestions that it had failed to meet its responsibilities. The company said it enforces age-appropriate experiences using platform policies developed with expert input, alongside technology designed to estimate users’ ages. It added that it remains confident it is complying with the Online Safety Act and will cooperate with Ofcom during the investigation.
First Published on July 16, 2026, 13:27:05 IST
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