Ofcom
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.
FSC Offers Feedback to UK Regulator on Age Verification Guidelines
The Free Speech Coalition released a statement Tuesday detailing the response it submitted to U.K. media regulator Ofcom as part of a "consultation" soliciting industry feedback on the age verification guidelines in the new Online Safety Act.
UK Media Regulator Encourages Companies, Creators to Provide Feedback on New Rules for Adult Content
U.K media regulator Ofcom is encouraging all members of the adult industry, including companies, creators and other stakeholders, to provide feedback to help it establish new regulations under the recent Online Safety Act — regulations that will impact the accessibility of online adult content.
As UK Government Highlights New Online Crimes, Regulator Requests Adult Industry Feedback
The U.K. government issued this week a circular to inform the police and other relevant public authorities of new criminal offenses resulting from the Online Safety Act, some of which will affect adult websites.
UK Government Unveils Controversial Age Verification Guidelines for Adult Content
U.K. media regulator Ofcom, the government authority tasked by the recently enacted Online Safety Act with online content restriction enforcement, issued on Tuesday its first guidance to adult websites regarding age verification.
UK Government Poised to Restrict Adult Content Through Controversial 'Online Safety Bill'
The U.K.’s much delayed Online Safety Bill appears to be heading toward implementation after last-minute negotiations in the House of Lords, despite vocal criticisms by virtually all digital rights and free speech organizations and advocates.
U.K. Names Ofcom as Internet Watchdog, Proposes Broad Regulatory Powers
The U.K. government has appointed telecoms and broadcasting regulator Ofcom to enforce rules intended to safeguard internet users.
House of Lords Debates Digital Economy Bill on Tuesday
The House of Lords on Tuesday will go through a second reading of U.K.’s Digital Economy Bill, which would force ISPs to impose blocks on porn sites that don’t include age checks or sites that feature kinky sex acts.
Sites Offering 'Non-Conventional' Sex Acts Face U.K. Ban
The U.K. Digital Economy Bill, which would introduce mandatory age checks for online porn and ban a range of "non-conventional" sex acts, goes back to the House of Commons for a report and third reading on Monday.
BBFC Tapped as New Porn Age-Verification Regulator
The British Board of Film Classification has signed an agreement with the U.K. government to act as the country’s new porn age-verification regulator.
ISPs That Block Porn Could Be in Breach of New E.U. Guidelines
Internet service providers that filter online access to porn or block ads now could be breaking E.U. net neutrality guidelines even if customers opt-in to porn filters.
Ofcom Reverses ATVOD Decisions on Appeal
U.K. communications regulator Ofcom has made another determination in favor of an online adult operator over an appeal that questioned whether the operator’s sites were subject to regulation.
Queen Confirms Porn Site Age Checks Are on the Way
Announced today in the Queen’s Speech, the U.K. government will mandate age verification for adult entertainment websites.
U.K. Introduces Plan to Enforce Age Checks on All Porn Sites
A landmark consultation paper that sets out the framework for compulsory age checks in the U.K. on all porn sites was made available today.
Ofcom Seeks Public Comment Over Proposed Changes
Ofcom, now the U.K.’s sole regulator for video-on-demand services, plans on procedural changes as it takes its reins.