In an attempt to curb underage access to explicit content online, Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, has released draft guidance proposing facial scans for age verification on pornographic websites.
The recommendations aim to address concerns about children accessing explicit material, with a survey revealing that the average age for initial exposure is 13.
Ofcom’s guidelines suggest various methods, including government-issued ID checks, credit card verification and digital ID wallets.
Privacy advocates and explicit platforms like Pornhub have raised concerns about data safety and potential leaks.
Director of the sex education charity Sexpression, Jack Liepa, said, “Young people probably still will find ways to access this content: older siblings might provide access, and they’re still going to turn 18 and suddenly have access, at still quite a young impressionable age.”
The new regulations, part of the Online Safety Act, are set to take effect in 2025. While advocates believe these measures could safeguard minors, critics argue that they may not be foolproof and the potential consequences of data leaks are alarming.
Draft codes for social media platforms are expected in 2024. The balancing act between effective age verification and data privacy remains a focal point in this evolving regulatory landscape.
[Image created via MidJourney]