From July 25th, UK websites hosting pornography must implement robust age verification checks, facing potential fines up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue for non-compliance. Ofcom, the media regulator, estimates 14 million people in the UK watch online pornography and aims to curb underage access to harmful content. Acceptable verification methods include credit card checks, photo ID matching, and age estimation via selfies; however, the effectiveness is questioned.

Concerns exist regarding user privacy and the potential circumvention of these checks using VPNs. Ofcom explicitly states that using VPNs to bypass age restrictions removes the protections of the Online Safety Act, advising parents to block VPN access for children. Despite assurances from age verification companies about data security and robust systems, experts and users express concerns about data breaches and the potential for irresponsible use, with some users stating they are more likely to seek alternative, potentially less safe, methods to access content. Users also cite concerns about sharing personal information.

Impact Statement: The new age verification rules may not fully prevent underage access to online pornography and could lead to increased use of VPNs and a shift towards less regulated platforms.