Ofcom
AV Bulletin: Arizona's About-Face, What New Laws Mean for Adult
Industry stakeholders and free speech advocates have anxiously been awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, which could significantly impact state age verification laws around the United States. In the meantime, state legislatures continue to weigh and pass AV bills, the U.K. and the EU are moving ahead with their own AV mandates and strategies, and legal challenges continue to play out in U.S. courts — with some cases on hold pending the SCOTUS ruling in Paxton.
FSC Addresses UK Age Verification Guidelines
The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published an article offering guidance on the U.K.'s Online Safety Act and the various guidelines put forward by the country's telecommunications regulator Ofcom.The article follows:
Ofcom Investigates 2 Adult Sites for AV Noncompliance
U.K. media regulator Ofcom is investigating two adult sites for failure to comply with age assurance requirements under the Online Safety Act, which Ofcom is charged with enforcing.
AV Bulletin: Age Verification Hits the Mainstream, Ofcom Sets a Date
Industry stakeholders and free speech advocates have anxiously been awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, which could significantly impact state age verification laws around the country. In the meantime, state legislatures continue to weigh and pass AV bills, AV tech providers continue to tout their services, and legal challenges continue to play out in the courts — with some cases on hold pending the SCOTUS ruling in Paxton.
Ofcom: Age Assurance Going Live Across 'Thousands' of Porn Sites
U.K. communications regulator Ofcom said in a statement Thursday that providers of online pornography are implementing age assurance across “thousands of sites” accessible in the U.K., in response to Ofcom’s Online Safety Act (OSA) enforcement program.
Ofcom Fines OnlyFans Parent Company Over Inaccurate Age Verification Reporting
U.K. communications regulator Ofcom has fined OnlyFans parent company Fenix International Ltd. $1.36 million for inaccurate reporting of its age verification measures.
Ofcom Q&A: Preparing for Age Verification Under the UK's Online Safety Act
In January, the U.K.’s online safety regulator, Ofcom, published its guidance on how online services that host adult content need to verify users’ ages under Ofcom’s rules.
UK Pornography Review Recommends Banning 'Extreme' Content
The “pornography review” initiated under the conservative government of former U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is soon expected to present its recommendations, which according to a BBC report will include banning any adult content deemed “degrading, violent and misogynistic.”
Ofcom Closes OnlyFans Age-Gating Investigation
U.K. communications regulator Ofcom has discontinued an investigation into whether OnlyFans violated the Online Safety Act (OSA) by failing to prevent minors from viewing adult content.
Ofcom to Hold Online Sessions on OSA Compliance
U.K. communications regulator Ofcom will hold an online conference Feb. 3-5, titled “The Online Safety Act Explained: How to Comply,” to explain new duties and deadlines required of adult businesses to implement age assurance under the Online Safety Act (OSA).
Ofcom Releases Age Assurance Guidelines
U.K. communications regulator Ofcom released on Thursday its finalized official guidance on what constitutes “highly effective” age assurance, which adult sites are required to implement under the U.K.’s Online Safety Act (OSA).
UK Regulator Ofcom Publishes 1st Edition of Online Safety Codes
U.K. communications regulator Ofcom published on Monday the first edition of its online safety codes of practice and guidance for adult websites.
ASACP Urges Compliance With UK Online Safety Act
LOS ANGELES — The Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP) has issued a statement advising adult companies to prepare to comply with the age assurance provisions of the U.K.'s Online Safety Act, which go into effect in 2025.
Pornhub Rejects Claim It Plans to 'Avoid' Age Verification in UK
Pornhub parent company Aylo told XBIZ on Monday that a recent report claiming the site will use a “loophole” to sidestep age verification requirements under the U.K.’s Online Safety Act is “misleading,” and that the company will always ensure its sites are compliant.
UK Tech Secretary Lists Age Verification Among OSA Priorities
Peter Kyle, the U.K.’s Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, on Wednesday made public a draft version of his priorities for implementing the Online Safety Act (OSA), including age verification.
UK Government Report Downplays Online Safety Act's Potential Impact on Porn Sites
The U.K. government released on Wednesday a new report assessing the likely impact of implementing the provisions of the controversial Online Safety Act (OSA), revealing adult industry concerns that a standalone provision directly targeting porn sites will render their operation in the U.K. “not feasible.”
FSC's Alison Boden Delivers Keynote at UK Age Assurance Regulator Event
Free Speech Coalition (FSC) Executive Director Alison Boden delivered the keynote presentation at a recent meeting on age verification hosted by U.K. communications regulator Ofcom.
UK Regulator Ofcom Rejects OnlyFans' Complaint About Unfair Treatment by the BBC
U.K. communications regulator Ofcom has rejected a formal complaint from OnlyFans, which alleged unfair treatment during a 2022 BBC report about its moderation practices.
UK Media Regulator Encourages Companies, Creators to Provide Feedback on 'Categorized Services'
U.K. media regulator Ofcom is again asking adult industry companies, creators and other stakeholders to provide feedback to help it establish new regulations under the Online Safety Act (OSA) — regulations that will impact the accessibility of online adult content.
Age Verification Trade Group Weighs In on UK Consultation
The Age Verification Providers Association (AVPA) filed earlier this month its response to U.K. media regulator Ofcom's consultation soliciting feedback on the regulation of adult websites under Part 5 of the Online Safety Act.