Ofcom is issuing industry guidance which sets out the tech adult websites must use to check ages.

Summary

Under the UK’s Online Safety Act, all websites hosting pornography, including social media platforms, must implement “robust” age verification methods, such as photo ID or credit card checks, for UK users by July.

Regulator Ofcom claims this is to prevent children from accessing explicit content, as research shows many are exposed as young as nine.

Critics, including privacy groups and porn sites, warn the measures could drive users to less-regulated parts of the internet, raising safety and privacy concerns.

  • OgmiosEnglish
    61·
    6 hours ago

    You ever hear the phrase “never ascribe to malice that which can be adequately explained by ignorance?”

    Generalities like that can be useful when applied appropriately, but counter-productive when applied blindly. That positions of power are held primarily by those who are motivated primarily by power ought to be the most straight forward assertion possible.

    • Kyrgizion@lemmy.worldEnglish
      31·
      4 hours ago

      Agreed. I feel we’ve been giving politicians passes on “ignorance” for far too long. First, ignorance is not a defense in any other situation. Second, these people are supposed to uphold our laws and virtues, so they should be held to a higher standard. Third, if you can find a pattern in their “ignorance” which somehow always seems to benefit them personally - they’re not ignorant, but malignant.

    • atzanteolEnglish
      12·
      6 hours ago

      That positions of power are held primarily by those who are motivated primarily by power ought to be the most straight forward assertion possible

      Generalities like that can be useful when applied appropriately, but counter-productive when applied blindly.