The UK communications regulator Ofcom said in a statement the age verification would support the Online Safety Act and help “keep young people away from harmful content". The act is a clampdown on digital abuse, fraud and harmful content and includes measures to protect kids from encountering damaging posts on topics including suicide, self-harm and eating disorders. While the regulation doesn’t require app stores to police user ages, Ofcom has been exploring how children use the online accounts.
(March 25): Apple Inc has rolled out age verification requirements for users in the UK that will ask customers to confirm that they’re at least 18 years old to access certain features.
Apple will confirm user ages with credit cards or payment methods on file or by asking users to scan an ID, it said in a post on its support page. Content filters will be turned on automatically for underage users or anyone who hasn’t confirmed their age, it said. Children under 13 cannot create an account without a guardian.
