Online Safety Act — Age Verification Requirements
Online Safety Act — Age Verification Requirements in United Kingdom: active, effective July 25, 2025. Applies to Pornography websites and platforms with pornographic content accessible to UK users. Age range: Under 18. Pornography sites must verify users are 18 or older
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Category | International |
| Status | active |
| Effective date | July 25, 2025 |
| Age range | Under 18 |
| Applies to | Pornography websites and platforms with pornographic content accessible to UK users |
Key requirements
- Pornography sites must verify users are 18 or older
- Must use "highly effective" age assurance methods
- Acceptable methods: Photo ID, facial age estimation, mobile network checks, credit card verification
- Ofcom enforcement powers include technology notices
- Service providers can face fines up to 10% of global revenue or £18 million
- Business disruption measures for serious non-compliance
Notes
First enforcement deadline July 25, 2025 for pornography sites. Age assurance technology companies must achieve 99.5% accuracy to be "highly effective".
Further reading: Age Verification Compliance Guide
Frequently asked
What does Online Safety Act — Age Verification Requirements require?
Pornography sites must verify users are 18 or older Must use "highly effective" age assurance methods Acceptable methods: Photo ID, facial age estimation, mobile network checks, credit card verification Ofcom enforcement powers include technology notices Service providers can face fines up to 10% of global revenue or £18 million Business disruption measures for serious non-compliance
Who must comply with Online Safety Act — Age Verification Requirements in United Kingdom?
Pornography websites and platforms with pornographic content accessible to UK users
When does Online Safety Act — Age Verification Requirements take effect and what is its status?
Effective July 25, 2025. Current status: active. First enforcement deadline July 25, 2025 for pornography sites. Age assurance technology companies must achieve 99.5% accuracy to be "highly effective".
Related laws
| Law | Jurisdiction | Category | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Media Minimum Age Law | Australia | International | active | December 10, 2025 |
| Online Safety Act — Child Safety Regime | United Kingdom | International | active | July 25, 2025 |
| Under-16 Social Media Ban (Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 regulations) | United Kingdom | International | pending | Spring 2027 (expected) |
| Digital Services Act — Guidelines on Protecting Minors | European Union | International | active | July 14, 2025 |
| EU Digital Minimum Age & Mandatory Age Assurance Initiative | European Union | International | pending | TBD (Commission proposal expected; Digital Fairness Act 2026) |
| GDPR — Children's Consent Requirements | European Union | International | active | May 25, 2018 |
| Under-15 Social Media Ban (2026 Law) | France | International | blocked | N/A (struck down August 14, 2026) |
| Organic Law for the Protection of Minors in Digital Environments | Spain | International | pending | TBD (parliamentary approval expected autumn 2026) |
Put it into practice
- Generate the policy: NIST AI RMF policy generator (generatepolicy.com)
- Buy the policy pack: NIST AI RMF Implementation Policy (cyberpolicy.shop)
- Build it yourself: Pillar 06 Companion — The 2026 AI Risk Register (ciso.diy)