Conservatives Vow Strict Age Verification for U.K., Overseas Porn Sites

LONDON — Internet service providers in the U.K. would be forced to block all online adult sites that fail to include effective age verification if the Conservative Party is returned to power at the general election next month.

Culture Secretary Sajid Javid, in an announcement made Friday, said that the Conservatives would create laws that would fine ISPs if they did not cooperate and pull down noncomplying hardcore adult websites — both U.K.-based and overseas.

Javid said that the system would be overseen by an independent regulator with the power to compel all U.K. ISPs to patrol and block hardcore sites that don’t have effective controls, such as the CAC system that ATVOD requires for hardcore video-on-demand sites streaming in the U.K.

The CAC system that ATVOD requires verifies that the user is 18 or over at the point of access with, typically, a credit card.

In the announcement on behalf of the Tories, Javid, a member of Parliament, cited a recent Childline poll that found nearly one in 10 12-to 13-year-olds are concerned they are addicted to porn and 18 percent have seen shocking images.

Javid said: "If you want to buy a hardcore pornography DVD in a store you need to prove your age to the retailers. With the shift to online, children can access adult content on websites without restriction, intentionally or otherwise."

"As a father to four young children, I worry, like every other parent, how easy it is for them to view explicit material,” he said. "That is why we need effective controls online that apply to U.K. and overseas."

The next U.K. general election will be held on May 7 to elect the 56th Parliament.

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

Taliban Restricts Access to Adult Content by Shutting Down Internet

The Taliban has shut down internet access across a large portion of Afghanistan in a move to prevent what it deems "immoral activities."

Go.cam Launches Video Spoofing Protection

Go.cam has announced that its verification solution now features security against video spoofing.

SexLikeReal Releases 'VR Self-Care' Guide

SexLikeReal (SLR) has published a blog post spotlighting “VR Self-Care.”

Brady Mills Agency to Launch 'AgeWallet' Subscription AV Solution

Tech company Brady Mills Agency announced that its subscription-based merchant age verification solution, AgeWallet, will launch in November.

EU Advocate General: France Can Require Foreign Sites to Implement AV

An advocate general of the European Union’s Court of Justice on Thursday advised the court to rule that France may require pornographic websites based in other EU states to implement age verification in accordance with French law.

Hentaied Founder Romero 'Mr. Alien' on Fetish, Fantasy and Finding Order in Chaos

A sharp sting pierces the woman’s skin. Something foreign slips beneath the surface. Eggs, maybe. She doesn’t know it yet, but soon her body will become a vessel, a hive, a source of contamination.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches for July, August

AEBN has published the top search terms for the months of July and August from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The Guardian Devotes Feature Article to XBIZ Amsterdam

British newspaper The Guardian sent a reporter to cover XBIZ Amsterdam earlier this month, resulting in a lengthy article about the annual European adult industry conference.

Pineapple Support Taps Char Borley as Brand Ambassador

Pineapple Support has named Char Borley as its newest brand ambassador.

Michigan Legislators Propose Online Porn Ban

Michigan lawmakers have introduced a bill that would make it illegal to distribute pornography via the internet in the state.

Show More