Ofcom proposes age verification to prevent children from accessing online pornography
Online pornography services are mandated to implement “highly effective” age checks to protect children, according to an announcement from Ofcom.
The guidance emphasized that sites and apps displaying or publishing pornographic content must ensure that children are unable to encounter pornography on their service.
Age verification methods may include photo ID matching, facial age estimation, and credit card checks. These measures aim to strengthen checks that were previously deemed ineffective, such as self-declaration of age and general disclaimers or warnings.
Websites will need to ensure that users can consent to their bank sharing information confirming they are over 18. Users can also upload a photo ID, such as a driving licence or passport, to verify their identity.
Credit card checks involve matching details with a person’s bank account to prove they are over 18. Users can also share their digital identity wallets with online pornography services to prove they are not underage.
Ofcom’s Chief Executive, Dame Melanie Dawes, stated that the new online safety laws are aimed at making pornography less accessible to children, while also safeguarding privacy rights and freedoms for adults to access legal content.
Ofcom assured that users’ personal data would be protected, citing the UK’s privacy laws, which are overseen and enforced by the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Advocates of free speech have expressed concerns about the Online Safety Act potentially affecting everyone who uses the internet, including adults.
According to Ofcom figures, on average, children first see online pornography at the age of 13, with nearly a quarter encountering it by the age of 11.
The NSPCC has been advising parents and guardians to ensure their browser settings prevent underage users from accessing pornographic content and setting parental controls or filters on home Wi-Fi and on children’s devices.
In the UK, it is not illegal for under 18s to watch porn; however, it is against the law to show pornographic content to anyone under the age of 16 or give them access to it.
Ofcom has argued that effective access controls should prevent the harmful effects of children stumbling across or trying to access pornography online.
The watchdog specified that illegal content must not be visible to users before or during the process of completing an age check.
Ofcom has also warned that online pornography services that do not comply with its guidance will face enforcement action, including possible fines.
The final guidance is expected to be published in early 2025, after which the government will bring these duties into force, the regulator added.
