Age Verification, European Style

In Europe, TikTok is beginning the phased rollout of mandatory age verification for users using third-party verification services. Formally, the goal of this initiative is clear and socially commendable — protecting children and teenagers. However, in practice, the new system has already sparked serious discussions about the boundaries of digital control, privacy, and acceptable forms of user surveillance.

According to Reuters, citing a company statement, TikTok is launching a new age-detection technology across Europe. Its purpose is to more accurately identify and remove accounts of children under 13 years old, who are prohibited from using the platform under its rules. The system was developed in cooperation with the Irish Data Protection Commission and is based on the results of a year-long pilot project conducted in European countries.

The new model relies on algorithmic analysis of multiple factors simultaneously. The system evaluates profile data, published videos, behavioral patterns, content interactions, and other behavioral signals. Based on the combination of this data, the algorithm forms an estimate of the user’s age. Importantly, this does not mean instant blocking. Accounts flagged as potentially belonging to minors will not be immediately deleted. They will be sent for additional review by live moderators, reducing the risk of erroneous blocks or accusations of automatic “bans without due process.”

Users will have an appeal process. If an account is restricted or marked as a child account, the owner can confirm their age using additional verification methods. These include credit card verification, uploading identification documents, and age confirmation via the specialized provider Yoti, which is already used by many digital services in Europe. This aspect raises the most concern among some users: to access an entertainment platform, people are effectively asked to share financial information or official documents.

TikTok emphasizes that the technology was developed specifically for the European market, taking into account local regulatory requirements, including GDPR and strict personal data processing rules. The company states that the system minimizes data collection and uses information solely for age determination. Exact timelines for a full-scale rollout have not yet been disclosed. European users will be notified in advance of the implementation.

The context of this initiative is extremely important. In recent years, European regulators have increased pressure on social networks, demanding stricter age controls for users. The European Parliament insists on mandatory age restrictions for access to platforms. Denmark, in particular, is considering a complete ban on social media use for those under 15. In the UK, pilot age-verification programs have already led to the removal of thousands of accounts of children under 13, according to Reuters.

A more radical step has been taken outside Europe. Australia became the first country in the world to effectively ban social media use for children under 16. Since December 10, child accounts have been blocked on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. Companies stated their readiness to comply with the new requirements, although publicly expressing disagreement with such measures, citing their complexity and potential side effects.

The EU is also moving toward standardizing such solutions. France, Spain, Italy, Denmark, and Greece are jointly testing a unified app template for age verification, as previously reported by the European Commission. This indicates the formation of a Europe-wide approach, where the responsibility for age control is placed directly on platforms and technological solutions.

In conclusion, the situation surrounding TikTok reflects a broader trend. Social networks, once spaces of open access, are gradually turning into regulated digital infrastructure with elements of mandatory identification. Under the pretext of child protection, states and regulators are effectively paving the way for stricter control over online activity. For some, this is a necessary security measure; for others, it is a dangerous precedent that blurs the boundaries of privacy. And this balance between protection and surveillance will be a key issue in European digital policy in the coming years.