TikTok has begun prompting some U.S. users to verify their age with a government-issued ID, credit card, or selfie, part of a new AI-driven system aimed at blocking accounts owned by children under 13.
The system, which uses third-party vendor Incode for facial age estimation and ID matching, is not applied to every user. Instead, it targets accounts the platform’s algorithms suspect may be underage or those trying to access restricted features such as TikTok LIVE or TikTok Shop.
Once flagged, users have 15 minutes to complete verification, which can include uploading a driver’s license or passport, taking real-time selfies, or authorizing a small refundable charge on a credit card. TikTok says images and documents are deleted after checks are complete.
TikTok’s help pages confirm:
“Verification is requested when our systems detect an account may be under the minimum age or when a user requests access to certain age-restricted features.”
Why Now The rollout follows years of regulatory pressure and prior enforcement action. In 2019, TikTok paid a $5.7 million fine to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission for violating Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), after collecting personal data from children as young as six.
The company says it removed 21.6 million suspected under-13 accounts globally in the first quarter of 2024. Industry peers like YouTube and Google have introduced similar AI-based age checks, a trend driven by laws such as the UK’s Online Safety Act and a patchwork of U.S. state regulations.
A TikTok spokesperson told hypefresh on August 10, 2025, the system is intended to
“help keep our community safe and ensure compliance with applicable laws.”
Privacy Concerns Privacy advocates warn that requiring IDs and biometric data raises security risks.
“Once biometric data is collected, it’s virtually impossible to fully secure or delete,”
said Adam Schwartz of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, citing concerns about storage, third-party access, and potential breaches.
False positives have added to the backlash. YouTuber KreekCraft, age 28, reported being locked out of TikTok LIVE until submitting ID and selfies. Other creators say the restrictions temporarily cut off monetization, disrupting income streams.
TikTok says it uses “industry-leading” privacy practices and that Incode processes data in compliance with local laws. However, Incode’s own retention policies allow for temporary storage, something critics argue undermines deletion assurances.
While many users will never see an age check, the AI system’s scope is broad enough to affect millions. TikTok has not disclosed the percentage of accounts flagged but industry analysts estimate the number could reach into the tens of millions.
What It Means For creators, the new vetting brings a threat of abrupt loss of revenue if inaccurately flagged. For parents, it’s an indication that platforms feel more pressure to shut out underage users before anything happens.
A tweet from X.
For civil liberties groups, the action confirms the compromise between safety on the Net and protection of personal data. As governments globally advocate more robust online age authentication, comparable schemes will emerge on social media sites, gaming services, and video-stream sites.
Whether TikTok’s AI can accurately tell a 12-year-old from a 19-year-old without over-flagging adults will determine whether this rollout is seen as a necessary safeguard or another overreach in the platform’s ongoing tug-of-war with regulators and users.
