OFCOM Investigates 22 Porn Sites Over Age Verification Failures

OFCOM has launched an investigation into five companies operating at least 22 pornographic websites, amid concerns they are failing to meet new UK age verification laws introduced in July.

The Online Safety Act requires users to prove their age—typically via ID or a selfie—before accessing adult content. Non-compliance could lead to significant fines or websites being blocked in the UK.

The regulator said the 22 sites are being “prioritised” due to their large UK user base—around eight million visitors per month—and the risk they pose to children.

“We are now gathering and analysing evidence to determine whether any contraventions have occurred,” OFCOM stated. If failures are identified, provisional notices of contravention will be issued, allowing companies to respond before final decisions are made.

The companies under investigation include Cyberitic, LLC, Web Prime Inc, Youngtek Solutions Ltd, and ZD Media s.r.o.

In total, 47 adult sites are currently under review. OFCOM has also widened its investigation into two additional firms—8579 LLC and Itai Tech—for failing to respond to information requests.

OFCOM acknowledged challenges in enforcement due to VPN use, which allows users to mask their location. VPN downloads have surged in the UK, and the regulator admitted there is “no way to stop” people using them to bypass restrictions.

CARE campaigned for age verification on online pornography for many years, and was instrumental in seeing the law come into action earlier this year.