What Adult Sites Need to Know About the UK’s Online Safety Act

Even those new to adult businesses may be familiar with the UK’s Online Safety Act.

This important piece of legislation has completely changed the way how online content is regulated, particularly when it comes to protecting minors. For adult sites, the Act understandably introduces new obligations to ensure safe and appropriate access to content. Now, we get that for some of you (especially those just learning to start a successful adult business), these changes may feel like a lot to take in, but understanding the key requirements—and when they’ll be enforced—will help your site stay compliant and minimise risk.

Here, we’ll break down the current status of the Online Safety Act, what’s happened so far, what’s to come, and what adult sites need to focus on to adapt to these new times.

Contents:

• What is the Online Safety Act?
• Where We Are Now & What’s to Come
• Key Requirements for Adult Websites
• Ofcom’s Role & Enforcement Powers
• Age Verification & Content Filtering
• Content Moderation
• Transparency Reports

What is the Online Safety Act?

The Online Safety Act, passed back in October 2023, represents one of the most significant shifts in internet regulation in the UK.

Its purpose is to protect users from online harm, focusing on preventing minors from exposure to inappropriate, explicit, or dangerous content. This law applies broadly to social media, messaging platforms, and websites with user-generated content, but adult websites are especially impacted due to the high-risk nature of explicit content.

Why Was the Act Introduced?

The Act was enacted in response to growing concerns about young people’s access to harmful content. According to a recent Ofcom study, 62% of children aged 13-17 reported encountering dangerous content online. It’s these kinds of statistics that led to widespread calls for increased safety measures on various digital platforms.

The Online Safety Act establishes a clear legal framework, compelling platforms to adopt measures that protect all users, with specific requirements aimed at safeguarding children and young users.

Where We Are Now & What’s to Come

To give platforms time to make the necessary adjustments, the Online Safety Act is rolling out in multiple phases. Here’s what’s already in place and what’s to come, so adult websites can stay informed and prepared.

We’ve set out the first steps tech firms must take to crack down on illegal content, by:

⚫Tackling child sexual abuse and pro-suicide content
⚫Addressing fraud and terrorist content
⚫Building a safer life online for kids

Read more about our plans ⬇️https://t.co/SWDROUka3W pic.twitter.com/dzTpdw5eJp

— Ofcom (@Ofcom) November 9, 2023

October 2023: This is when the Online Safety Act officially came into effect. Adult sites are now legally required to assess the risks associated with their content and begin implementing safety measures. Failure to start aligning with the Act can lead to preliminary warnings or fines.

December 2024: Ofcom will publish its Illegal Content Risk Assessment Guidance and the initial version of the Codes of Practice for illegal harms. Adult sites should review these documents carefully, as they provide specific instructions on identifying and mitigating risks associated with harmful content. Sites must carry out their own risk assessments within a set period after these guidelines are published, so keeping up with Ofcom’s updates is crucial.

March 2025: This is the deadline. Platforms, especially high-risk platforms like adult websites, must complete their Children’s Risk Assessments and implement additional protections to prevent minors from accessing explicit material. This phase will also introduce penalties for non-compliance if safeguards are not in place.

Beyond the Deadline: Starting in late 2025, Ofcom will conduct audits to ensure compliance with the Act. Non-compliant platforms could face fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue, whichever is higher, along with potential site blocks within the UK.

What are the Key Requirements for Adult Websites?

As high-risk platforms, adult websites like yours – whether it’s porn, e-commerce or an escort agency – must implement several critical measures to comply with the Act.

These requirements include:

Age Verification: Adult sites are mandated to use rigorous age verification systems to block underage users.

Content Moderation: All user-generated content must be monitored to quickly remove illegal or inappropriate material.

Transparency and Reporting: Clear, accessible information on safety protocols is essential, and records of moderation activities must be maintained.

User Reporting Mechanisms: Platforms must have user-friendly systems for reporting harmful content, with a rapid response to any flagged materials.

Failure to meet these requirements can result in very serious consequences. Fines… reputational damage… potential bans within the UK market – nothing your adult business would want to face.

For those looking to start an escort business, check out our blog covering all of the other legal aspects you need to consider.

Does Ofcom Have the Power to Take Enforcement Action?

Yes.

Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, has been designated as the primary authority to enforce the Online Safety Act. With extensive powers granted by the Act, Ofcom can hold platforms accountable through:

Issuing Fines: Ofcom can issue fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global turnover for non-compliance. These fines are substantial enough to pose significant risks for businesses of all sizes.

Blocking Site Access: For sites that refuse to comply or repeatedly violate safety standards, Ofcom can block access to the platform for UK users.

Conducting Investigations: Ofcom has investigatory powers to demand compliance documentation, review user reports, and assess platform safety practices.

So, to avoid those swift and severe penalties, your adult website must keep up-to-date with Ofcom’s guidance and any updates to the rules.

How to Meet Age Verification & Content Filtering Requirments

Thanks to the Online Safety Act, adult sites can no longer rely on basic disclaimers or age gates… and for good reason. It’s all too easy for a youngster to lie about his or her age and enter false details, so instead, robust, verifiable age-checking systems are required to ensure that underage users cannot access explicit material.

The best practices include:

ID Verification Services: Platforms can use verification tools like Yoti or Veriff, which compare user-provided identification against real-time images.

Biometric Checks: Advanced systems like TruValidate that verify age through facial recognition or biometric analysis will help you meet the Act’s demands. They will also ensure a smooth onboarding and engagement process for your users.

Credit Card Verification: Leveraging payment information can also help confirm a user’s age, though this should be used alongside other methods for optimal compliance.

Content filtering is equally important. To meet the Act’s demands, adult sites must ensure that explicit content is concealed behind age-verification walls and cannot be accessed until users are verified as adults. Implementing these practices will help protect minors from stumbling upon anything they shouldn’t, which in turn will safeguard your platform from penalties.

Content Moderation

To prevent the circulation of illegal or harmful material, adult sites are required to employ active content moderation. Platforms must also provide accessible, user-friendly reporting mechanisms so visitors can flag any inappropriate content quickly.

The content moderation strategies to implement include:

Automated Filters: AI-driven filters can flag inappropriate material based on keywords, context, and image recognition.  Check out CommentGuard’s list of the 9 best content moderation tools on the market for you to consider.

Human Moderators: A dedicated team is necessary to review flagged content that automated systems cannot accurately assess. There are many professional content moderation services out there for you to consider, including Foiwe.

Remember, it’s important that your platform acts quickly on user reports, with clear procedures for assessing and removing harmful content.

Transparency Reports

Transparency reports are a key part of staying compliant with the Act, and they’re something every adult website owner needs to understand.

It’s these reports that show the world—and regulators like Ofcom—that you’re taking online safety seriously. You’ll need to outline how you’re protecting users, especially minors, with measures like age verification and content moderation. Plus, you’ll need to keep records of things like content removals, user reports, and any steps you’ve taken to stay compliant.

Once a year, you’ll submit all this in a transparency report to Ofcom, and doing so proves you’re running a safe, responsible platform.

Prepare Your Adult Business…

Things are changing, and adult websites like yours need to evolve to meet the expectations of the Online Safety Act. You best ally in these changing times? Proactivity. Staying informed and prepared will help you navigate these regulations smoothly, ensuring your platform remains safe, responsible, and reputable.

Looking to maximise your website’s potential? Reach out to Adult Creative to see what we can do to help your business.

Still not sure what kind of adult business you want to set up? Before reading on, be sure to check out our blog on the Top 5 Adult Business Ideas to learn more.