In the coming weeks, TikTok will begin implementing a new age verification technology across the European Union. This decision comes in response to growing demands to restrict access to social networks for users under the age of 16, as reported by the Kazinform agency.
The system, which has been tested over the past year, analyzes user profile data, their published videos, and behavioral signals to determine whether the account belongs to a person under the age of 13.
According to information from The Guardian, accounts that the system identifies as problematic will be referred to moderators for verification; however, blocking them is not planned. It is important to note that a similar pilot project in the UK led to the removal of many accounts.
Representatives of TikTok stated that the new technology has been developed with consideration of the regulatory requirements of the European Union. During the development process, the company collaborated with the Irish Data Protection Commission, which is the main privacy regulator in the EU.
The European Parliament is actively advocating for the introduction of age restrictions for social media users, while Danish authorities plan to ban access to social networks for individuals under the age of 15.
Recall that at the end of November, the European Parliament adopted a resolution that prohibits access to social networks for children under the age of 16.
