In 2025, over 100,000 online platforms in the UK must start effectively verifying the age of their users to comply with the Online Safety Act (OSA).
Adult sites are the first in Ofcom’s spotlight, needing to implement age verification tools to prevent underage users from accessing their platforms in January 2025.
Why is it important?
The incidence of online harm has never been higher, and all stakeholders are keen to see action to protect children. The research (among 2,000 UK children) found that:
- Almost one in ten (9%) young people across the UK and the US have been exposed to illegal content, including Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) when going online
- Young people regularly encounter age-restricted (18+) within 10 minutes of going online
- Over one in ten (11%) reported encountering age-restricted content once a week, while 10% experience it 2-3 days a week and 7% are exposed every single day they go online
- Only half of respondents (49%) reported encountering age verification to restrict their access to 18+ content
Implementation of the OSA
“The implementation of the UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA) is set to bring in dramatic changes to the online ecosystem in a bid to keep children safe online. Adult sites are the first in Ofcom’s spotlight as they will be required to effectively verify the age of every user, starting January 2025."
“Many popular platforms have worked closely with Ofcom over the last two years to get ready for this change. However, there will be many still scrambling to comply and others resigned to test how serious Ofcom is about enforcement. Ofcom’s arsenal is significant - including hefty fines, cutting payment and revenue streams and blocking access for UK users. The challenge will be how swiftly and effectively they can tackle non-compliance, particularly with the majority of sites being based outside of the UK,” Lina Ghazal, Head of Regulatory Affairs and ex-Ofcom & Meta of Verifymy.
Shared information's safety and privacy
Ghazal added: “For consumers of adult content, new age verification hurdles will likely come as a surprise. The majority of porn viewers will be unaware of these changes until the expected barrage of awareness campaigns from various stakeholders in the sector begin. There is likely to be concern around the types of age assurance they can use, particularly those using ID or financial information, as well as the safety and privacy of any information shared.”
“The industry will need to reassure users that information will not be shared with adult entertainment sites, that it is only used to confirm whether they are of the correct age, and that it will be immediately deleted by verification providers once authentication is complete.”
New realities of the OSA
Ghazal concluded: “We expect many sites will also opt for methods with the lowest possible friction, such as email-based age estimation. Users are sure to be put off by clunky or onerous systems and will inevitably gravitate to those with the smoothest user experience."
“The conversation over the next few weeks is likely to be confused as these new measures play out, but it's crucial for both adult sites and their users that they adapt quickly to the new realities of the OSA and its impact on accessing adult content online. As encouraged recently by Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, the regulator has a key role to play in fostering a level playing field and ensuring the effective implementation of the OSA.”
