The UK’s media regulator, Ofcom, has launched formal investigations into four major adult content companies over potential non-compliance with new online age verification laws.
The probe comes just days after new online safety rules took effect, requiring all websites hosting pornographic material to implement robust age checks to ensure users are over 18.
Ofcom is assessing whether 8579 LLC, AVS Group Ltd, Kick Online Entertainment S.A., and Trendio Ltd — which collectively operate 34 pornography websites — have properly enforced these measures.
Together, these platforms attract over nine million unique UK users each month, making them a high priority for enforcement based on audience size and the potential risk of harm, Ofcom said.
The investigations add to an expanding list of enforcement cases under the new Online Safety Act, which already includes 11 active probes into platforms such as 4chan, a controversial suicide forum, seven file-sharing services, and two other adult websites.
Under the new powers granted to Ofcom, the regulator can impose fines of up to £18 million or 10% of a company’s global revenue — whichever is greater — for breaches of compliance.
In severe cases, it may also seek court orders to enforce “business disruption” measures, such as compelling payment processors, advertisers, or UK internet service providers to block access to offending sites.
“Where appropriate, in the most serious cases, we can pursue business disruption measures,” Ofcom confirmed in a statement.
Despite the crackdown, backlash is growing. Over 450,000 people have already signed a petition demanding that the government repeal the Online Safety Act.
Critics, including adult content creators, argue the law is overly restrictive and amounts to censorship of social media platforms.
In response, the UK government reiterated that it has “no plans to repeal the Online Safety Act,” maintaining its commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable users online.
