UK Tech Secretary Lists Age Verification Among OSA Priorities

UK Tech Secretary Lists Age Verification Among OSA Priorities

LONDON — Peter Kyle, the U.K.’s Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, on Wednesday made public a draft version of his priorities for implementing the Online Safety Act (OSA), including age verification.

The new Statement of Strategic Priorities (SSP) highlights, as one key goal, “Ensuring companies are effectively deploying age assurance technology to protect children from harm online.”

Under that heading, the SSP further specifies: “Services should take advantage of the technologies that are already available to identify child users and ensure that they cannot access harmful content on their services. Age assurance should be deployed consistently, effectively, and fairly to users from all backgrounds and age ranges.”

The SSP will guide U.K. online safety regulator Ofcom in overseeing enforcement of the OSA, which goes into effect in spring 2025. Ofcom will then report back on the specific actions it takes to implement those priorities.

Prior to that, according to a government press release, the priorities “will be finalised with the input of online safety experts and campaigners” before being submitted to Parliament for approval. The release did not specify which safety experts and campaigners would be included.

Previously, Ofcom consulted with adult industry stakeholders during the process of drafting regulations under the OSA. XBIZ reached out to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to determine whether adult industry stakeholders will be invited to provide further input and feedback alongside the aforementioned “safety experts and campaigners,” but never received a reply.

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

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Aylo Says It Will Comply With UK Age Assurance Requirements

Tech and media company Aylo, which owns various adult properties including Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtube, plans to introduce age assurance methods in the United Kingdom that satisfy government rules under the Online Safety Act, the company has announced.

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Approves Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

The Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday passed legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

Trial Set for Lawsuit by U Wisconsin Professor Fired Over Adult Content

A trial date of June 22, 2026, has been set for the civil lawsuit filed by veteran communications professor Joe Gow against the University of Wisconsin board of regents, which fired him for creating and appearing in adult content.

New UK Task Force Meets to Target Adult Content

The architect of an influential report that recommended banning adult content deemed “degrading, violent and misogynistic” has convened an “Independent Pornography Review task force” aimed at translating that report’s findings into action in the U.K.

11:11 Creations Launches Affiliate Program

11:11 Creations principal Alicia Silver has launched 11:11 Cash for creators and affiliates.

Pineapple Support, Pornhub to Host 'Self Love' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Pornhub are hosting a free online support group for performers to develop self-love.

Show More