Uk'S New Age Checks For Porn Sites To Shake Up Online Access

UK Cracks Down on Adult Content Access

The UK is making a major move to protect minors online by introducing a "robust" age verification process for pornography sites. Announced by Ofcom on Thursday, these new regulations are part of the Online Safety Act, aiming to shield children from inappropriate content. This follows similar measures introduced in the US, where states experienced backlash from sites like Pornhub.

Ofcom promises a "flexible, tech-neutral and future-proof" approach, ensuring the system is effective while allowing room for innovation. Crucially, the process also respects privacy rights, ensuring adults can access legal content.

“Our evidence suggests that the vast majority of adults (80 percent) are broadly supportive of age assurance measures to prevent children from encountering online pornography,” Ofcom stated.

How Will Age Check Rules Work?

Porn sites must implement effective age assurance measures to avoid fines or enforcement from Ofcom. Users might need to provide government-issued photo IDs like a driver’s license or passport. Alternatives include facial age estimation or credit card checks, with potential confirmation from banks or mobile networks.

Guidelines are still under development, with finalization due within a year. Previous attempts were scrapped due to privacy concerns, but now Ofcom is set to enforce from this month. User-generated platforms like PornHub and OnlyFans have six months to comply.

Impact of the New Rules

The adult industry has generally welcomed these changes, seeing it as a significant step since the 1923 Liquor Act. "Ofcom’s announcement is a pivotal moment in the fight to make the internet a safer place, particularly for children," said Lina Ghazal, from age verification firm Verifymy.

Despite support, there are privacy concerns about personal data requirements. Some users may turn to VPNs to bypass these checks. Aylo, Pornhub's parent company, previously blocked its sites in US states over similar laws and might consider similar actions in the UK.