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Restrictions on Porn Sites and Online Services in the UK

Following the introduction of the Online Safety Act, significant changes are set to impact online services in the UK, particularly those hosting adult content. This article will delve into the new regulations, their implications, and the measures being taken by regulators to ensure a safer online environment.

New Age Verification Requirements

As of July 2025, online services in the UK will be required to implement robust age verification tools to prevent minors from accessing adult content. This includes popular platforms such as Pornhub and OnlyFans, which will need to introduce age assurance methods to ensure users are not underage.

The guidelines outlined by regulator Ofcom specify that services hosting adult content must use age verification tools to prove the user’s age. These methods can include photo ID matching, facial age estimation, credit card checks, and digital identity services. The aim is to prevent children from accessing explicit material, which can have severe long-term consequences on their mental health and well-being.

Implications for Online Services

The new regulations will require online services to adapt their existing systems to accommodate age verification checks. This will involve significant changes to their technical infrastructure, user interfaces, and policies.

Under the Online Safety Act, online services will also be required to conduct a children’s access assessment, which will determine the likelihood of their site being visited by minors. This assessment will need to be completed by April 16, 2025, and will inform the implementation of age verification measures.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Websites that fail to comply with the new regulations can expect to face enforcement action from Ofcom. This includes fines and penalties for non-compliant services, which will ultimately impact their reputation and user base.

Ofcom’s CEO, Dame Melanie Dawes, emphasized the importance of age verification checks, stating that companies have “effectively been treating all users as if they’re adults, leaving children potentially exposed to porn and other types of harmful content.” The regulator will be monitoring the industry’s response to the new regulations and will take action against non-compliant services.

Age Verification Technologies

Ofcom has listed several non-exhaustive technologies that may be implemented for age verification, including:

• Open banking
• Photo ID matching
• Facial age estimation
• Mobile network operator age checks
• Credit card checks
• Digital identity services
• Email-based age estimation

These technologies will provide a reliable means of verifying users’ ages and ensuring that adult content is protected from minors.

Expert Analysis and Insights

Lina Ghazal, head of regulatory and public affairs at Verifymy, weighed in on the move, stating that it’s a “pivotal moment” to make the internet a safer place. She emphasized the importance of age assurance and the need for adult content providers to implement robust and reliable methods to keep explicit material well away from underage users.

A Safer Online Environment for All

The new regulations aim to create a safer online environment for all users, particularly children and young adults. By implementing age verification checks, online services can prevent minors from accessing adult content and reduce the risk of harm associated with explicit material.

The Importance of Age Verification

Age verification is essential in preventing minors from accessing adult content. Research has shown that exposure to explicit material can have severe long-term consequences on mental health and well-being, including anxiety, depression, and addiction.

By implementing age verification checks, online services can ensure that adult content is protected from minors and that users are aware of the content they are accessing.

Achieving Compliance with the New Regulations

To achieve compliance with the new regulations, online services will need to adapt their existing systems to accommodate age verification checks. This will involve significant changes to their technical infrastructure, user interfaces, and policies.

Online services will need to assess their current systems and implement age verification measures that meet the requirements outlined by Ofcom. This may involve using age verification technologies, such as facial age estimation or credit card checks, to verify users’ ages.

The Role of Regulators in Ensuring Compliance

Regulators, such as Ofcom, play a crucial role in ensuring compliance with the new regulations. By monitoring the industry’s response to the new regulations and taking action against non-compliant services, regulators can ensure that online services are held accountable for protecting minors from adult content.

Regulators will also be responsible for publishing codes of practice for online services, which will outline the measures they must take to ensure compliance with the new regulations.

The Future of Online Safety

The new regulations mark a significant step towards creating a safer online environment for all users. By implementing age verification checks and ensuring compliance with the new regulations, online services can prevent minors from accessing adult content and reduce the risk of harm associated with explicit material.

The future of online safety will depend on the effective implementation of age verification measures and the ongoing monitoring of the industry’s response to the new regulations.