United Kingdom: Information Commissioner's Office issued letters requesting social media and video-sharing platforms to strengthen age assurance to prevent young children from accessing unsuitable services

On 12 March 2026, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) published an open letter to social media and video-sharing platforms in the UK regarding age assurance measures for minors. The letter encourages platforms to review and enhance their age verification methods to prevent children under 13 from accessing services not intended for them. The ICO notes that current methods, such as self-declaration, can be easily bypassed, and highlights the potential use of technologies like facial age estimation, digital ID, or one-time photo matching to support compliance. Platforms are expected to ensure any chosen methods align with data protection principles, including lawfulness, fairness, and data minimisation. The ICO has engaged directly with platforms considered the highest risk and expects improvements over a two-month period, while continuing to monitor practices and assess whether further regulatory measures are needed to ensure compliance with the Children’s Code and data protection law.