LONDON—Ofcom, the United Kingdom's communications regulator, today announced new rules for online safety and a deadline for platforms to comply by July 25.
The online platforms that are required to comply include virtually every part of the mainstream internet, including sites that host what Ofcom considers to be "pornography."
Of course, this regulatory code covers adult entertainment platforms, but it could put to the test age assurance and age-appropriate design maintained by social media sites that permit pornography and sexually explicit content. Reddit and X, formerly Twitter, are the two most prominent social media networks that permit adult content hosting.
Elon Musk's X is one of the prominent platforms and sources of traffic for independent adult content creators, studios and producers. This also means that Ofcom could bring a regulatory enforcement challenge against a site like X for any accusation of failing to comply with the Online Safety Act. As AVN reported extensively, the Online Safety Act sets standards for platforms to tackle potential child sexual abuse material and other illegal content, like revenge porn and NCII.
Melanie Dawes, the chief executive of Ofcom, announced the rules as a "reset" in a statement. Dawes explained, "These changes are a reset for children online. They will mean safer social media feeds with less harmful and dangerous content, protections from being contacted by strangers, and effective age checks on adult content.
"Ofcom has been tasked with bringing about a safer generation of children online, and if companies fail to act, they will face enforcement," Dawes added. She indicates that these rules have been conducted in compliance with thousands of stakeholders, including parents, minors and companies.
This covers "part three" platforms. Under the law, part three platforms are defined as online "user-to-user services," which include all person-to-person interaction platforms like social media, messaging and dating apps. Part three platforms also include search engines and databases, classified as "search services." Adult platforms including Pornhub were already regulated under the part five provisions of the Online Safety Act, as those platforms are classified as pornography platforms restricted to adult audiences.
But, the child safety codes Ofcom has introduced require age assurance for every corner of the internet where minors and adults may interact. Child protection advocates in the United Kingdom say that Dawes and Ofcom are being too lenient on tech platforms. Rachel de Souza, the Children's Commissioner for England, said in a statement, “I am disappointed to see this code has not been significantly strengthened and seems to prioritise the business interests of technology companies over children’s safety.”
Age verification companies based in the United Kingdom, including Yoti and VerifyMy, welcomed the new rules as a boon for their businesses.
