TikTok

This is Ofcom's first major test of the Online Safety Act's child protection powers against a platform TikTok's size, and the outcome sets the template for every enforcement action that follows. The regulator is investigating whether TikTok's age assurance systems actually stop under-13s accessing the platform, rather than just ticking a compliance box. TikTok says it is confident in its systems, which is precisely what every platform says right before a regulator finds the gap between policy and enforcement. Fines under the Act can reach 10% of global revenue, which for TikTok's parent ByteDance would run into billions rather than the token penalties platforms have absorbed under previous UK data rules.

ByteDance just launched Seedance 2.0 everywhere except America, creating a parallel innovation ecosystem that sidesteps TikTok ban anxiety. The new platform gives global developers access to ByteDance's AI tools and recommendation algorithms — the same tech stack that made TikTok unstoppable. This isn't retreat; it's ByteDance building influence through infrastructure while Washington focuses on banning apps.