UK Imposes £1 Million Fine on Porn Site for Inadequate Age Verification Under New Online Safety Act

The UK has implemented strict regulations requiring pornographic websites to conduct thorough age verification checks on users.

Britain's media regulatory authority on Thursday imposed a substantial fine of 1 million pounds (approximately $1.3 million) on AVS Group for inadequate age verification procedures across its 18 adult content websites.

Ofcom confirmed this penalty represents the largest enforcement action thus far under the Online Safety Act, which was enacted in July with the aim of shielding minors from accessing harmful online content.

These newly implemented regulations mandate pornographic websites to implement rigorous age verification protocols or risk significant financial penalties.

The legislation also seeks to protect young individuals from encountering content related to suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders.

"Although AVS has implemented what it describes as age verification, we have determined it is not sufficiently effective, resulting in our decision to fine the company 1,000,000 pounds," stated Ofcom in their official announcement.

The regulatory body has ordered the group to implement a proper age verification system within 72 hours or face additional daily penalties.

An extra fine of 50,000 pounds was also imposed on the company for failing to respond to Ofcom's information request.

Since July 25, websites, social media platforms, and video-sharing services hosting potentially harmful material have been required to implement strict age verification measures using tools such as facial recognition technology or credit card verification.

Non-compliant entities can face fines reaching up to 18 million pounds or 10 percent of their qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever amount is greater.

In the most severe cases, Ofcom possesses the authority to take legal action to block UK access to non-compliant sites or platforms.

Advocates have praised the new regulatory framework as a significant achievement in their extended campaign for stronger protections, while critics—particularly those with politically conservative views—have characterized it as an infringement on freedom of expression.

The implementation of these regulations has reportedly caused a significant increase in downloads of virtual private network (VPN) software, which enables users to appear as if browsing from another country, potentially circumventing certain website restrictions.

Shortly after the regulations took effect, Ofcom initiated investigations into 34 pornographic websites, including those operated by AVS, regarding possible compliance failures.

Ofcom confirmed on Thursday that these investigations remain ongoing.