Home New regulations in UK require ‘robust’ age verification on porn sites

New regulations in UK require ‘robust’ age verification on porn sites

TLDR

  • Ofcom mandates "robust" age verification for UK websites with pornographic material by July.
  • Approved methods include photo ID, facial age estimation, and mobile network checks.
  • US age verification laws vary by state; some sites halted operations over privacy concerns.

UK regulator Ofcom has issued new guidance stating that all websites on which pornographic material can be found (including user-generated content such as social media) must introduce “robust” and “reliable” age verification for users by July.

The guidance, which has been issued under the Online Safety Act, requires “highly effective methods of age assurance” to be used by services that might host pornographic material, and that “weaker age checks” such as self-declaration or payment methods that are not themselves age-verified, will no longer be sufficient.

According to Ofcom, research suggests that the average age children first come across pornography online is 13, though nearly a quarter encounter it by age 11, and one in ten are aged nine when they first see it.

Ofcom has provided a ‘non-exhaustive’ list of ‘highly effective’ methods of age assurance. These include:

  • Open banking
  • Photo ID matching
  • Facial age estimation
  • Mobile network operator age checks
  • Credit card checks
  • Digital ID wallets

“Our practical guidance sets out a range of methods for highly effective age checks,” said Melanie Dawes, Ofcom CEO. “We’re clear that weaker methods – such as allowing users to self-declare their age – won’t meet this standard.

“Regardless of their approach, we expect all services to offer robust protection to children from stumbling across pornography, and also to take care that privacy rights and freedoms for adults to access legal content are safeguarded.”

Does America have similar age verification laws to access pornography?

As with many things in America, the legalities surrounding age verification requirements on websites that might host pornographic material are managed at a state level rather than a federal level.

Earlier last year, Aylo-owned website PornHub ceased operating in Texas, North Carolina, Montana, and several other states, citing the privacy and security risks brought about by new age verification requirements. They claimed that “While these new laws claim to protect children from accessing harmful material online — something we fully support — they not only fail to do this but also jeopardize user safety and privacy.”

Featured image credit: Ideogram

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech, gambling and blockchain industries for major developments, new product and brand launches, AI breakthroughs, game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to in-house staff writers with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Ali Rees
Tech journalist

Ali Rees is a freelance writer based in the UK. They have worked as a data and analytics consultant, a software tester, and a digital marketing and SEO specialist. They have been a keen gamer and tech enthusiast since their childhood in are currently the Gaming and Tech editor at Brig Newspaper. They also have a Substack where they review short video games. During the pandemic, Ali turned their hand to live streaming and is a fan of Twitch. When not writing, Ali enjoys playing video and board games, live music, and reading. They have two cats and both of…

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.