Summary
Ofcom, a UK regulator, is investigating four companies that run 34 adult websites to check if they are following new age verification rules. These rules aim to prevent children from accessing harmful adult content online, and require users to confirm they are over 18.
Key Facts
- Ofcom is investigating 34 porn sites run by four companies: 8579 LLC, AVS Group Ltd, Kick Online Entertainment S.A., and Trendio Ltd.
- The investigation focuses on whether these sites are complying with new age check requirements.
- The new rules require sites with adult content to use tools to verify users’ ages to avoid children accessing them.
- These four companies have a combined total of over nine million monthly visitors.
- Age verification rules took effect recently and apply to various platforms, including social media and music streaming services.
- Over 400,000 people have signed a petition to repeal the Online Safety Act, which mandates these age checks.
- Some people worry about privacy and the effectiveness of the age checks, with the use of VPNs being a potential workaround.
- Ofcom aims to make the internet safer for children and has said it will announce more enforcement actions soon.
