Will UK porn age verification stop children seeing adult content?

Concerns are rising as porn sites implement new age verification checks that require users to provide personal identification. In the UK, websites with pornographic content are now mandated to verify the age of users in a “robust” manner. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in hefty fines, up to £18m or 10% of global revenue. Ofcom estimates that around 14 million people in the UK consume online pornography, making it crucial to implement stricter age checks to prevent children from accessing harmful content.

Ofcom has outlined various methods for websites to verify users’ ages, such as credit card checks, photo ID matching, and facial age estimation. Platforms must ensure that their chosen method is accurate, reliable, and fair to users. While some explicit content platforms have committed to introducing age verification checks, they must also address potential loopholes that users might exploit to bypass the checks.

The use of virtual private networks (VPNs) to circumvent age verification checks has raised concerns among regulators. While VPNs offer secure internet connections, they can be used to access blocked content based on location. Ofcom emphasizes that platforms should not condone the use of VPNs to evade age checks. Parents are encouraged to monitor and control VPN usage among children to ensure compliance with online safety regulations.

Cybersecurity experts argue that the age verification methods proposed by Ofcom are effective in verifying users’ ages and preventing circumvention. However, there are concerns about user trust, especially in light of recent cyber attacks that have made people wary of sharing personal information online. Age verification companies insist that their systems are robust and designed to prevent unauthorized access to explicit content.

Major pornographic websites like Pornhub, Reddit, Discord, and Bluesky have committed to implementing enhanced age verification measures to comply with UK regulations. Users will be required to undergo rigorous age verification checks to access explicit content, with various verification options available. The move to require age verification has sparked mixed reactions from individuals who consume porn, with concerns about privacy, data security, and the accessibility of adult content

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