The British media and communications regulator has announced an investigation into TikTok to verify its compliance with rules protecting children from harmful content and the effectiveness of its age verification mechanisms.

The regulator clarified that the investigation will focus on whether the platform applies an effective age verification system that accurately determines whether a user is a child or an adult, in line with UK legal requirements.

Increased scrutiny

The regulator stressed that launching the investigation does not imply a finding of violation, but is intended to verify the company's compliance with its legal obligations.

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It noted that penalties could reach fines equivalent to 10% of the company's global revenues if violations are proven. The investigation comes at a time when TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, faces increased scrutiny from regulators worldwide.

Fine on TikTok

The British regulator previously fined TikTok about two million pounds two years ago for failing to provide timely information on parental control tools. The UK data protection authority also fined TikTok £12.7 million the previous year for illegal use of children's personal data. TikTok affirmed its commitment to providing a safe and appropriate experience for every age group, stressing its compliance with UK law and readiness to cooperate with the regulator during the investigation.