ATVOD Seeks Public Input to Incorporate New Rules

LONDON — ATVOD, the U.K. video-on-demand authority charged with requiring VOD operators to make sure those under 18 can't access hardcore porn, today launched a three-month public consultation for its proposal to update its “Rules and Guidance."

The announcement for public input comes the same day the Audiovisual Media Services Regulations 2014 went into force. The new law applies to VOD services that are regulated by ATVOD, restricting the types of sexual content that U.K. providers can provide for consumers to BBFC R18 classification level.

Since September 2010, ATVOD has published a “Rules and Guidance” document setting out the statutory requirements with which providers of VOD operators must comply.

The Audiovisual Media Services Regulations 2014 further amended the Communications Act 2003, introducing new provisions relevant to providers of VOD.

"It is therefore proposed that ATVOD’s 'Rules and Guidance' be updated to reflect these changes," ATVOD officials state on its website. "ATVOD seeks the views of stakeholders on its proposal."

Respondents are requested to use a response sheet supplied on this web page. Responses must be received by March 2 and likely will be published online. ATVOD expects to publish a statement on the proposed rules and guidance in the spring.

Meanwhile, Backlash today said it would challenge the legality of the new regulations "as a new threat to free expression." Backlash is a U.K.-based group that campaigns on matters of sexual freedom.

A Backlash spokesman told XBIZ today that the group is "keeping the details [of a campaign] close to our chests at the moment."

"British digital media producers are now subject to some of the most severe content restrictions in Europe," Backlash said in a statement today. "The regulations will shut down websites and criminalize producers of content that remains legal to produce throughout the European Union.

"This will have a chilling effect on freedom of sexual expression in the U.K. It also makes British media uncompetitive within the E.U.," the group said. "This will lead to job cuts and lost revenue for the [U.K.] Treasury."

The regulations also will have a disproportionate impact on producers of content for sexual minorities, Backlash said.

"For example, depictions of many forms of anal sex, including 'fisting,' are banned under the regulations, even though such activities are popular and practiced safely within the LGBT community. Bondage and sado-masochistic scenarios, commonly practiced by people of all sexual orientations, will also be censored."

In addition, the new rules impact the sexual choices of consenting adults and on the British media industry, Backlash said.

"The regulations have been introduced under the aegis of 'child protection,' without any evidence that the regulation will contribute to child welfare," the group said.

ATVOD today ramped up it tally on the number of British websites it has formally targeted under Rule 11 violations. Rule 11 requires an effective CAC System that verifies that the user is 18 or over at the point of registration or access by the mandatory use of technical tools for age verification.

With 34 more porn sites accused of violating Rule 11 today, ATVOD in its four-year history has fingered 170 websites in total.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Go.cam Launches Free Age Verification Solution, Anti-Fraud Features

Go.cam has announced that its age verification solution is now free with updated anti-fraud and identity protection features.

Florida AG Sues EU-Based Adult Companies for Failing to Age-Verify Users

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a lawsuit Monday with the 12th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida against five EU-based adult companies for allegedly failing to require age verification before allowing access to adult content.

SkyPrivate Launches 'Telegram Pay-Per-Minute' Feature

SkyPrivate has launched a new pay-per-minute (PPM) private show option on Telegram.

Pineapple Support to Host 'Money and Mental Health' Online Event

Pineapple Support is hosting a free, online event to help performers balance financial wellbeing with mental health, Aug. 18-19.

Arcom Warns 5 Adult Sites Over Age Verification

French media regulator Arcom has sent enforcement notices to the operators of five adult websites that the agency says have failed to implement age verification as required under France’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law.

MojoHost Debuts NVIDIA Blackwell-Powered Hosting

MojoHost has announced the launch of NVIDIA Blackwell-powered hosting featuring RTX 6000 Pro MaxQ GPUs.

FSC: Identity Theft Targeting Adult Performers

The Free Speech Coalition has put out an alert warning of an individual found to be targeting adult performers for identity theft.

Assylum.com Implements New Age Verification System

Assylum.com has introduced an age verification system across its member sites.

European Commission to Assess Pornhub, XVideos, XNXX Compliance With Digital Services Act

The European Commission plans to conduct a study to determine how well adult sites Pornhub, XVideos and XNXX are addressing illegal content and other potential harms under the EU’s Digital Services Act.

German Higher Court Upholds Ban on PornHub, YouPorn

The Higher Administrative Court of Rhineland-Palatinate on Thursday upheld a “network ban” on Aylo-owned adult sites Pornhub and YouPorn for failing to comply with German age verification regulations.

Show More