Pornhub ‘exploits’ loophole to delay protecting kids

One of the world’s largest pornography websites has been accused of using a loophole to delay introducing robust age-verification measures.

Pornhub claims it is exempt from Ofcom requirements for “providers of pornographic content published or displayed on the service”, which come into force in January, and require “highly effective” checks to ensure users are over 18 years old.

Instead, the website is trying to argue that it will be covered by similar rules for user-generated content, which are not expected to be introduced until July.

Children

The Age Verification Providers Association has told Ofcom that websites such as Pornhub should be clearly covered by January’s guidelines.

It said: “To the general public, such sites would often be the first they think of when they consider pornographic sites, and are not obviously user-to-user services.”

Executive Director Iain Corby added: “We expect Ofcom to produce unambiguous guidance that establishes a level playing field where all porn sites must require highly effective age assurance simultaneously.”

‘Unsurprising’

The Christian Institute’s Director Ciarán Kelly commented: “It is disappointing, but sadly not surprising that Pornhub is choosing to put a few months more profit before its moral responsibility to children.

“All pornography is harmful – whether it is uploaded by a user or the platform itself. We warned the previous Government that having multiple legal frameworks for tackling pornography would lead to confusion which pornography providers would readily exploit.

“Children have already waited long enough for proper protection. The Government must now press Ofcom to put everything necessary in place to protect children from all forms of pornography as quickly as possible.”

Online Safety Act

The Government’s Online Safety Bill became law last year.

Ofcom is due to gradually implement the Act’s measures. Although it has not recommended specific age-verification systems, it could include those such as facial technology combined with credit card checks.

In contrast, the regulator has emphasised that “self-declaration of age”, “general terms, disclaimers or warnings” would fall foul of its requirements.

Age-verification checks were originally approved under the Digital Economy Act 2017, but plans to implement them were abandoned in 2019.