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In order to view adult content online in the UK, users will soon have to verify their age to prove they are over 18 years old. This involves supplying proof of age to an age verification platform used by the adult website the user wants to see.

The law is expected to come into force in Q2 of 2019 and despite media attention about the subject in Britain’s tabloid newspapers more than three-quarters of respondents in a new study were not aware the new porn checks are set to be introduced in the UK.

That’s according to a new survey by YouGov, the Internet-based market research and data analytics firm. In the survey of 1,769 Britons – which included more than half who admitted to being regular pornography users – 76% said they were unaware of the incoming restrictions. Two-thirds (67%) revealed they approve of the measures but only a third (34%) believe the so-called porn block will be effective.

When the law comes into full force in order to access adult content sites, users will see on some websites AgeGO as the age verification technology provider. AgeGO is totally secure, anonymous and GDPR compliant. AgeGO does not store any user data and once a user signs up to AgeGO and verifies his age he can access thousands of adult content sites without needing to verify his age again. Check out AgeGOs various verification methods here.

On 15th July 2019, this Act of Parliament comes into full force as UK law. The aim of the Digital Economy Act (DEA 2017) is to build a better infrastructure for the UK’s digital future and to provide vital protections for minors from age-restricted online content.

The UK Government has appointed the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) as the age verification regulator because of their long and proven experience in classifying films, videos, websites, etc.

This new UK law has a direct effect on online commercial pornography services (websites and apps) including all +18 visual content (paid for or free to access), adult dating platforms, +18 e-commerce, etc.

From April 2018 all these commercial pornographic services that are accessible from the UK are required to include front page age-verification controls which will prevent children from seeing content that isn’t appropriate for them.

It is each websites responsibility to provide a front page age verification solution to verify a UK users age before they can access the content within the website and also block access to the website’s content if the user is under 18 years of age. Failure to comply in verifying users ages will lead to substantial fines of up to £250,000 and the website will be blocked within the UK.

AgeGO will offer a BBFC certified age verification technology solution that website owners can easily integrate into their websites, it works like a widget. AgeGO allows UK consumers to choose 1 of several different approved age verification methods such as: Driving Licence, Passport, Mobile Phone or Credit Card. All age verification is totally anonymous, 100% free to the user and their data is fully protected in compliance with GDPR.