Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, has issued guidance on age verification measures for pornographic websites in accordance with the Online Safety Act (2023). The rules, designed to prevent underage access to adult content, include potential blocking by internet service providers for non-compliant sites. Businesses failing to adhere to the Online Safety Act could face fines of up to £18 million ($22.3 million) or 10% of their global turnover.
While Ofcom insists that the proposed age verification methods align with privacy laws, civil liberties groups express concerns about potential breaches and misuse of sensitive personal data. The Online Safety Act’s guidelines propose various age verification methods, including matching uploaded photo IDs to live images of users, credit card checks (excluding debit cards), and digital identity wallet technologies. However, civil liberties organizations, such as the Open Rights Group, caution that these measures pose serious risks to privacy and security.
They argue that potential data leaks could lead to consequences such as blackmail, fraud, damage to relationships, and exposure of individuals’ sexual preferences in vulnerable situations. Privacy concerns persist despite Ofcom’s assertion that all acceptable age assurance methods comply with the country’s privacy laws. Ofcom’s reliance on data protection laws and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to safeguard privacy has drawn criticism. Advocates, including Abigail Burke from the Open Rights Group, find such reliance insufficient for a scheme they perceive as intrusive. Privacy concerns related to age verification technologies for pornography highlight the ongoing tension between the need for online safety measures and the protection of individuals’ private information.
