European regulators are increasing pressure on TikTok to strengthen how it verifies the age of its users. In response, the video platform is introducing a new system designed to better detect accounts run by children under 13 and remove them when necessary. According to reports, the rollout will begin in Europe in phases over the coming months, following a year of testing.
Europe’s Scrutiny Forces TikTok to Rethink User Verification
TikTok, which is owned by ByteDance, shared details of the initiative with Reuters. Rather than relying solely on users to self-report their birth dates, the company is shifting toward automated methods to identify underage accounts.
The new system analyzes profile information, posted videos, and user behavior across the app. Certain patterns associated with younger users can trigger an alert. Each flagged account is then reviewed by trained human moderators before any enforcement action is taken, including account removal.
According to TikTok, the system is designed to protect children while minimizing the collection of personal data. However, there is no global consensus on privacy-friendly age-verification methods, complicating compliance for platforms operating across multiple jurisdictions.
Regulators across Europe have intensified scrutiny of social media companies’ age-check practices. Their concerns center on two competing risks. Some controls are too weak to adequately protect minors, while others are so strict that they require excessive collection of personal data. Policymakers in several countries are now debating where that balance should be drawn.
TikTok Compliance Push May Set Template for Platform Regulation
Some governments have already taken decisive steps. Australia has announced a complete ban on social media access for children under 16. Denmark has proposed restricting access for users aged 15 or younger. In the UK, TikTok pilot programs have resulted in the removal of thousands of accounts linked to children under 13.
TikTok’s age-check system will follow a structured review process:
- •Algorithms scan accounts for signals associated with child users.
- •Profile content and interaction patterns are assessed together.
- •Software-flagged accounts are forwarded to trained moderators.
- •Moderators determine whether platform rules have been violated.
- •Accounts confirmed to belong to underage users are removed.
To comply with European legal requirements, TikTok will also introduce a formal appeals process. Users whose accounts are suspended will be able to verify their age through third-party services provided by Yoti. Verification options include facial age estimation, government-issued identification, or credit card checks.
Comparable appeal systems are already used by Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram. TikTok says these verification tools will only be deployed when users challenge a moderation decision.
Ireland has emerged as a focal point for enforcement of EU digital regulations. The country’s media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, is currently investigating both TikTok and LinkedIn under the Digital Services Act. Authorities are assessing whether platforms provide clear instructions for reporting illegal content.
Europe Signals Tougher Line on Platform Age Checks
Recent enforcement actions have heightened regulatory pressure. In 2025, France fined TikTok €530 million for violations of the GDPR and imposed a separate €310 million penalty on LinkedIn. Irish regulators are also examining potential compliance breaches related to Elon Musk and Twitter.
As automated age checks expand, regulators are demanding greater transparency around moderation systems. EU law requires platforms to clearly explain how automated tools function and to provide evidence that those systems are accurate and effective.
Regulatory-driven changes include:
- •Mandatory disclosure of automated moderation practices
- •Clear notifications when automated systems affect account status.
- •Demonstrable proof that monitoring tools perform as intended.
- •Accessible appeal and review mechanisms for users.
- •Ongoing oversight by national regulatory authorities.
European users will receive notifications as the new system is introduced. Company statements emphasize protecting minors without forcing users to share excessive identity data. Regulators counter that stronger safeguards are essential as social media continues to play an increasingly important role in young people’s daily lives.