United Kingdom
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.
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.”
UK Adult Studio Climaxx Media Launches
New U.K. adult content production company Climaxx Media has officially launched.
UK Labour Government Confirms it Will Continue Baroness-Led 'Porn Review'
The Labour government of U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed it will continue the controversial full review of British pornography laws ordered by former Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in 2023.
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.
Senior Labour MP Launches Attack on All Porn, Sex Work
A senior Labour MP on Tuesday launched an attack against adult websites, saying they are “characterized by lawlessness,” and called for further criminalization of all sex work.
House of Bathory to Hold Inaugural OnlyFest UK Creator Event
House of Bathory Events will hold a new U.K. creator event, OnlyFest, from July 18 to 21.
UK Tory Minister Blames Joblessness Crisis on Pornography, Video Games
The U.K. Tory government’s Work and Pensions Secretary this week blamed “pornography and video games” for what he called “a mental health crisis among young men” that he claims has resulted in them leaving the workforce.
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.
FSC Meets With UK Baroness in Charge of Tory Government's Porn Review
The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has met with Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the House of Lords member charged by the U.K. government with conducting a full review of the country's pornography laws.
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 Public Questionnaire for Baroness-Led 'Porn Review'
The Tory government led by U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak unveiled this week a public survey questionnaire intended to help guide its pending review of legislation dealing with adult content
AI Facial Scanning Providers Rush to Offer Age Verification Compliance Solutions
Several tech companies are offering new artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to estimate the age of people accessing websites, taking advantage of potentially lucrative opportunities for enabling compliance with the U.K.’s new Online Safety Act and similar legislation moving forward in the EU and the U.S.
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 Parliament Passes Controversial 'Online Safety Bill'
The U.K. Parliament on Tuesday passed the much-delayed Online Safety Bill, despite vocal criticisms by virtually all digital rights and free speech organizations and advocates.
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.
Legal Opinion Lambasts UK's 'Online Safety Bill' As Dangerous, Possibly Unlawful
British digital rights advocacy nonprofit Open Rights Group (ORG) has released a formal legal assessment of the prior restraint provisions in the U.K.’s proposed Online Safety Bill, deeming the current version dangerous and potentially unlawful.
Conservative UK Prime Minister Orders Review of All Porn Laws
Rishi Sunak, the Conservative prime minister of the U.K., has ordered a full review of British pornography laws.
Apple Warns UK Government of Serious Privacy Risks if 'Online Safety Bill' Passes
Apple has issued a statement warning against serious privacy risks that it says would result from the passage of the Online Safety Bill currently being fast-tracked by the Conservative government of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
British Baroness Defends Controversial California Age Verification Law She Inspired
The Baroness Beeban Kidron, a British aristocrat with California and Hollywood ties, was the subject last week of a fawning profile by Politico, in which she continued to defend her controversial campaigns for internet age verification in the U.K. and California.