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(Sharecast News) - UK communications regulator Ofcom has opened a formal investigation into TikTok over concerns the social media platform may have failed to comply with its legal duties to protect children from harmful content.
The probe will examine whether TikTok has breached obligations under Section 12 of the Online Safety Act 2023, which requires platforms likely to be accessed by children to use proportionate systems to prevent young users from encountering harmful content, including by deploying age assurance that is "highly effective" at determining whether a user is a child.
The investigation follows Ofcom's review of measures adopted by major platforms to protect children online, alongside its Children's Online Experiences report, which raised concerns about children being exposed to harmful content on TikTok.
Ofcom also cited findings from its Age Assurance report, published on Thursday, suggesting age inference models such as those used by TikTok "may have failed to correctly identify a significant proportion of children, putting them at risk of exposure to harmful content".
"The opening of an investigation does not mean that Ofcom has reached any conclusion about whether the provider has breached its duties," the regulator said.
If Ofcom identifies compliance failures, it has the power to impose fines of up to 18m or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is greater.
In the most serious cases, it could also seek a court order requiring third parties to withdraw services from, or block access to, the regulated service in the UK.
Ofcom said it expects to provide an update on the investigation in October 2026.
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