Over the next 12 months, tech companies—including e-commerce sites, social media platforms, news sites and search engines—would have to legally conform to a set of 15 “standards of age appropriate design” laid out by the U.K. Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to limit online practices that might harm children under the age of 18. (Financial Times)

Talking point: U.K. lawmakers have grown increasingly concerned about children becoming “datafied,” being too young to legally consent to being tracked and profiled online. The regulation introduced Wednesday could have broad impacts on the operations of tech companies globally as it aims to limit location tracking, YouTube recommendations and targeted ads, while also ensuring that children’s data is not shared unless it’s in their best interests to do so. Facebook said it welcomed “the considerations raised,” adding, “The safety of young people is central to our decision-making.” The social media platform promised to develop features and tools to limit underage usage.