The Government has announced that age verification for porn websites will come into force from 15th July 2019.
The 18+ checks will be required for commercial websites – either charging for access or making money from advertising – hosting at least one third pornographic content. UK hosted websites already have to conduct the checks. From July, that will apply to all websites with UK visitors.
Websites will be able to choose how they verify their visitors’ ages. One scheme available will be the use of ‘porn passes’ – a code available to buy from local shops upon face-to-face age verification.
Websites that refuse to implement age verification checks face having payment services withdrawn or being blocked in the UK.
VPN use to bypass the new checks will remain legal.
Age Verification comes into force from the 15th July.
— DCMS (@DCMS) April 17, 2019
This new approach is the first of its kind in the world, and puts in place the same protections that exist offline. Find out what this means for you https://t.co/kQazDP5Wny pic.twitter.com/N23QXYCOOt
