Ofcom, the UK media regulator, has launched an investigation into popular video-sharing app TikTok over concerns that it provided inaccurate information about its parental controls. This comes two years after Ofcom issued guidance to online video-sharing apps about the protection of younger users from encountering harmful content. The regulator had requested details from TikTok, as well as fellow online platforms Twitch and Snapchat, for a report on how they safeguard children.

Overall, Ofcom's report was complimentary about the steps taken by the platforms to protect young users. However, it expressed concerns about TikTok's family pairing system, which allows adults to link their accounts to their children's for control of settings such as screen time limits. Ofcom believes that TikTok may have provided inaccurate information about this feature. As a result, the regulator will investigate whether the company failed to comply with its duties.

TikTok, which is owned by a Chinese company, has blamed technical issues for any inaccuracies and claimed that Ofcom was made aware of these issues. The company has assured that it will provide the necessary data to address these concerns. It emphasized that it enforces an age requirement of 13 and highlighted Ofcom's report, which showcased its extensive efforts and resources to find and remove users who do not meet the age requirement.

It is worth noting that Ofcom's report did not cover YouTube and Facebook, as they fall under Irish jurisdiction due to the legacy of EU rules that the UK is still following after Brexit. However, these rules will gradually be superseded by the Online Safety Bill. Ofcom's report, published on Thursday, concluded that TikTok, Snapchat, and Twitch all meet the requirements set out by the regulator two years ago. These platforms do not allow sign-ups from children under 13 and employ various methods, including AI and human moderators, to identify and remove potentially underage accounts. For TikTok, this accounted for approximately 1% of its monthly active UK user base. Additionally, all three platforms classify and label content to ensure age-appropriateness.

However, while Snapchat and TikTok offer parental controls, Twitch's terms and conditions require parents to supervise their children in real-time. Ofcom acknowledged that while steps were being taken to protect young users, they could still face harm while using these platforms.

Ofcom's investigation into TikTok's handling of parental controls aims to ensure that the company is fulfilling its responsibilities in protecting younger users. The regulator's report highlights the efforts made by platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, and Twitch in safeguarding children but also emphasizes the need for continuous improvement in protecting young users from online harm.