United Kingdom: Adopted Updated Commissioner’s Opinion on Age Assurance for the Children’s Code including Data Protection Compliance

On 18 January 2024, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) published an update of the 2021 Opinion on Data Protection Compliance in Age Assurance. The text outlines the main principles and requirements of data protection in the context of age assurance. It describes the four main approaches to age assurance. Furthermore, the Opinion emphasises the importance of embedding data protection into the design of products, services, and applications, and the need for a clear understanding of the principles of lawfulness, fairness, transparency, and purpose limitation in age assurance practices. The Opinion reflects technological and legislative developments in the area of data protection and provides guidance on how organizations can meet their obligations while complying with the Online Safety Act 2023.