Porn sites MUST have photo ID, face age checks or credit card scans under new guidance to crack down on underage viewers
PORN sites will be ordered to introduce photo ID matching or facial age estimation technology to guarantee its users are 18 or over.
Guidance published by regulator Ofcom today will force platforms to be “highly effective” at blocking kids from adult content by early 2025.
Measures including self-declaration of age and general disclaimers will no longer be considered good enough.
But sites could scan credit cards or use mobile operator age checks, where networks automatically block youngsters accessing porn on their 5G.
Sites that don’t comply will face “enforcement action”, including fines.
The move follows the passing of the Online Safety Bill, which set out sweeping new regulations to social media and internet video content.
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It also comes after years of campaigning by cross-party MPs to crackdown on violence against women and girls inspired by explicit videos.
Research by the Children’s Commissioner for England found that the average age kids first view porn is 13.
But nearly a quarter come across it aged 11 and 10 per cent as young as 9.
Meanwhile, 80 per cent of youngsters say they’ve encountered videos depicting degrading or pain-inducing sex acts before turning 18.
Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcom’s Chief Executive, said: “Pornography is too readily accessible to children online, and the new online safety laws are clear that must change.
“Our practical guidance sets out a range of methods for highly effective age checks.
“We’re clear that weaker methods – such as allowing users to self-declare their age – won’t meet this standard.”
While new porn rules were welcomed by MPs, free speech campaigners blasted the move as a huge threat to privacy.
The Institute for Economic Affairs warned it will “significantly increase the amount of sensitive data held by third parties”.
Research Fellow at the Bruno Leoni Institute, Giacomo Lev Mannheimer, said: “Improper regulation of adult content undermines the internet as a hub of unparalleled freedom and innovation.
“Policymakers must strike a balance by tackling illicit activities while safeguarding user privacy, free expression, and digital innovation.”
Ofcom insisted it is committed to protecting privacy rights and adults’ access to legal porn.
The body said all age assurance methods will be subject to the UK’s privacy laws, which are enforced by the Information Commissioner’s Office.