New rules for porn sites under the Online Safety Act have come into force in the UK. According to the requirements, users must verify their age before entering sites with 18+ content. This can be done through photo identification or by uploading an official ID, informs Engadget.
The statutory requirements apply to search engines and online services that allow users to post content or interact with each other. These include various websites, applications and other platforms, including social networks, cloud storage and file sharing services, video platforms, online forums, dating sites and instant messengers.
The law also applies to those services whose operating companies are located outside Great Britain, provided that there is a connection with a British audience. This applies where the service has a large number of UK users, is targeted at the UK market or is available to UK users and poses a potential threat of significant harm to them.
This decision was made by the media regulatory service Ofcom, which called the age verification mechanisms “highly effective” and allowed the possibility of verification through bank cards or biometric assessment of the photo. A number of major sites have already supported these demands, including PornHub, the most popular porn resource in the country.
However, some users are trying to circumvent the innovation by using VPNs, artificially created AI-generated photo IDs, or selfies of video game characters. At the same time, the law prohibits porn sites from promoting VPN services that help to avoid age verification. In case of violation, fines are provided – up to £18 million or 10% of the company’s global revenue. Ofcom has the power to monitor compliance and impose sanctions on violators.
