Ofcom dragging its heels on porn protections

Press release | Online safety campaigners have slammed regulator Ofcom for dragging its heels on porn protections for children.

The regulator will be responsible for regulation of harmful online content under new provisions included in the Online Safety Bill.

But a document published by Ofcom today claims age verification measures to prevent underage access to pornography won't be enforceable until the end of 2024.

Tim Cairns, Senior Policy Officer at CARE, commented:

"Ofcom's roadmap proposes that pornography sites will not be properly regulated in the UK until the end of 2024. This is completely unacceptable and Ofcom needs to reassess its timeline and parliament needs to intervene to ensure strict deadlines are placed on the face of the Bill to ensure that children are kept safe online.

It is not as if age verification is a new or novel concept that Ofcom needs to work through. The technology exists to implement it and the public strongly support it being brought in. Polling commissioned by CARE found 8 in 10 UK adults support age verification for online pornography.

If Ofcom does not urgently review its timeline, parliament must intervene and ensure strict time limits for implementation and enforcement are placed in the Bill. Children have waited far too long for protection online. Ofcom need to show more urgency in protecting the most vulnerable."

ENDS

Notes for Editors

Age verification on porn sites was promised by the UK Government in 2015 and legislated for in 2017 but Part 3 of the Digital Economy Act was never enforced.

If age verification does come in when Ofcom sets out, in late 2024, children will have lacked vital, promised safeguards for seven years.

CARE polling of UK adults on this issue found 8 in 10 support age checks:

Poll finds 8 in 10 people back mandatory age checks for online pornography | CARE

About CARE

Christian Action Research and Education (CARE) provides analysis of social policy from a Christian perspective.

For more information or to request an interview, contact Jamie Gillies | jamie.gillies@care.org.uk