The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) responded to an evaluation by the Office of Communications (Ofcom) regarding online age verification devices.

The British authority welcomes Ofcom's rapid assessment of "highly effective age verification" for the 16-year threshold, as well as its report on app stores. The ICO emphasizes that while age verification is crucial for protecting children online, its implementation must ensure the security of personal data and respect for individuals' rights. Collaboration is underway with the government and Ofcom to integrate data protection into new regulations, complementing the ICO's work assessing the compliance of age verification solution providers, as mentioned in its update to the code for childhood strategy of August 2026.

The ICO reminds social media and video-sharing platforms of their existing obligation to implement appropriate age verification portals to prevent users below their minimum age (usually 13 years) from being exposed to risks related to the unlawful processing of their information. The authority urges them to act without delay to protect minor users, reiterating its call made in an open letter of March 2026 requesting strengthened measures.