From April 2018 you will have to prove your age before accessing porn sites in the UK.
The Conservative government are forging ahead with plans to require adults in the UK to prove they are over 18 before accessing porn sites. Digital minister Matt Hancock signed the commencement order today, which will enable the Digital Economy Act.
Although no details about how the scheme could or would work, experts have suggested that proof of age could be provided by credit card details. The government could force Internet Service Providers such as BT and Virgin Media to block access to websites which do not comply with the new rules.
The rules will apply to any website or platform which offers porn on a “commercial basis”.
It is hoped that the measures will protect children from online porn.
The Adam Smith Institute has reacted in dismay over the news.
Sam Dumitriu, Research Economist at the Adam Smith Institute, said,
“Requiring adult websites to force users to provide their credit card details poses a dangerous threat to privacy and will enable widespread credit card fraud.
“Consenting adults shouldn’t be forced to announce that they’re looking at pornography to their credit card company.
“There are massive fraud risks. It could mean that users are nudged into handing over data to unsafe sites – leaving them at the risk of fraud. Pornography is especially attractive to fraudsters as victims are often too embarrassed to flag up unexpected payments to adult sites to their credit card company.
“Politicians should stop trying to regulate things they don’t understand.”
In December 2014 pornography produced in the UK was subject to strict rules under the David Cameron’s Tory government. The types of scenes which studios could film were severely restricted with an amendment to the 2003 Communications Act.
Some of the activities banned by the Conservative government could overtly affect the porn consumption of gay men in the UK – including those who watch BDSM, rimming (facesitting) and fisting.
Leave a Reply