Tory government’s war on porn: Age verification proposed for all smut sites

The UK government plans to force all online porn providers to add age verification technology to their websites, or else face the threat of civil sanctions.

All companies that profit from making pornographic material available online will be expected to comply with the proposed law, the department for culture, media and sport said, and it will be illegal for those sites to allow anyone under the age of 18 to access that content, it added.

When quizzed by Ars on how the government would crack down on the vast number of porn operators who are based overseas, a DCMS spokesperson told us that the rules "would apply to all websites, wherever they are hosted."

It would seem that the government's preferred route for non-compliance on age verification will be for porn sites to be cut loose from the payment providers, advertisers and other ancillary services that they use—thereby presumably suffocating their business here in the UK.

The DCMS spokesperson added: "It basically undermines the business model—payment service providers would not process transactions, rendering the site unsustainable."

A public consultation on the proposals was opened today, and anyone wishing to wade in about the plans will have until midday on April 12 to do so. It comes following meetings with a number of charities, academics, internet companies, and telcos.

The DCMS said that it hoped to "establish a new requirement in law for commercial providers to have in place robust age verification controls for online pornographic content in the UK." It added that the government would "legislate to establish a new regulatory framework, underpinned by civil sanctions."

Under that regulatory framework and civil regime, the government plans to give a watchdog powers to enforce the new law on a "flexible" basis. Officials will monitor commercial porn providers to ensure that they are complying with the legislation. Where they are failing to provide age verification controls, porn sites could see their payment options being choked. Sanctions will be imposed on providers that flout the law.

“We are delivering on our manifesto promise by launching this consultation today, which proposes we require companies providing this pornographic content to ensure they have safeguards in place to ensure those accessing their websites are over 18,” said internet and security minister, baroness Shields.

The Internet Service Providers' Association, which represents some of the country's biggest telcos, welcomed the proposals. “ISPA agrees with the proposed ‘follow the money’ approach targeting those profiting from websites offering adult content without offering suitable age verification procedures. Internet safety is, and will continue to be, a top priority for ISPs,” said the lobby group's chair, James Blessing.

It's understood that the DCMS is keen to bring in the new legislation within the next few months.

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