UK Investigates 34 Porn Sites Related To New Age Verification Rules

UK Technology Minister Peter Kyle (photo: x @SciTechgovuk)

JAKARTA - British media regulator, Ofcom, on Thursday 31 July, launched an investigation into compliance with four companies that collectively manage 34 pornographic sites, following the implementation of the country's new age verification rules.

Ofcom stated that they were investigating whether the companies '8579 LLC, AVS Group Ltd, Kick Online Entertainment SAS, and Trendio Ltd' had a "very effective" age verification system to protect children from exposure to pornographic content on these sites.

According to Ofcom, these companies are prioritized based on the risk of harm posed by the services they operate and the number of their users.

The UK Online Security Act, passed in 2023 by the Conservative government earlier, sets stricter standards for platforms to tackle criminal activity, with an emphasis on child protection and illegal content.

The law requires pornographic sites and other platforms that accommodate harmful content to implement a strong age verification system to prevent children from accessing them.

Ofcom has the authority to fine companies up to 18 million pounds (approximately IDR 366 billion) or 10% of their global earnings, or block non-compliant sites.

The Labor Party government stated that this law is an important tool to protect children online, calling it the right balance between security and freedom of expression.

However, the UK Reform Party led by Nigel Farage promised to revoke the law, calling it an "excessive act" that threatens free speech.

In response to this, British Technology Minister Peter Kyle accused Farage of sided with "the likes of Jimmy Savile" one of Britain's most productive sexual predators by opposing measures designed to protect children.