UK Cracks Down on Underage Access to Adult Content

In a significant step toward online child protection, the United Kingdom has launched a massive age verification initiative affecting around 6,000 pornographic websites. These platforms are now required to implement strict age checks to ensure that only adults—those aged 18 and above—can access explicit material online. The move is part of a broader strategy aimed at reducing the exposure of minors to harmful content on the internet. This development follows the enforcement of provisions outlined in the UK’s Online Safety Act, which grants Ofcom, the national communications regulator, the authority to oversee and enforce compliance. Websites that fail to implement effective age verification systems risk being fined or blocked entirely within the country. The new laws apply to both UK-based and international sites that are accessible from within the UK, signaling a strong commitment to protecting children in digital spaces. The forms of age verification being adopted by these websites v...