Smaller adult video-sharing sites based in the UK are not doing enough to protect children from accessing pornography, Ofcom has said. In a new report, the regulator said a number of smaller platforms do not have robust measures in place to verify a user’s age and prevent them from gaining access if necessary.
Ofcom said that while they all have age verification systems in place when users sign up to post content, it is possible for children to access adult content simply by self-declaring that they are over 18. But the regulator did praise some larger platforms – including TikTok and Snapchat, for making progress in better protecting younger users.
Ofcom already regulates video-sharing platforms (VSPs) through existing rules but the Government’s proposed Online Safety Bill – expected to return to Parliament before the end of the year – would give it expanded powers as a regulator of user-generated content platforms. It warned that adult sites that do not improve their protection systems will face stronger enforcement action.
Ofcom claimed that one smaller adult platform told its investigators that it did consider introducing age verification but decided not to because it would reduce its profits. Ofcom chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes said it was “deeply concerning” to see sites putting profit before child safety.
However, the report did welcome the progress it had seen from some larger sites. It highlighted TikTok’s system of categorising some content as unsuitable for younger users to prevent them from seeing it, as well as its oversight committee which looks at safety compliance in the UK and EU.
Ofcom also noted Snapchat’s creation of the Family Centre parental control feature, and a filtering tool on video platform Vimeo as further sign’s of progress, but said more still needed to be done. “Today’s report is a world first. We’ve used our powers to lift the lid on what UK video sites are doing to look after the people who use them,” Dame Melanie said.
“It shows that regulation can make a difference as some companies have responded by introducing new safety measures, including age verification and parental controls. But we’ve also exposed the gaps across the industry and we now know just how much they need to do.
“It’s deeply concerning to see yet more examples of platforms putting profits before child safety. We have put UK adult sites on notice to set out what they will do to prevent children accessing them.”
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