Here we are in 2024, apparently largely replaying where we were in 2016 with the Porn industry — now clothed in the garb of Free Speech — attempting to buddy-up with the regulators to find mutually-acceptable ways to track everyone online via Age Verification.

Quote:

The hybrid event was attended by representatives from a variety of platforms that host adult content and began with remarks from Ofcom’s Online Safety Group Director. She related that the regulator hoped to create a “no surprises” compliance and enforcement regime that harmonizes with international standards and best practices.

Next, the attendees worked in small groups to provide feedback on Ofcom’s definition of “pornographic” content, which is vaguely defined in the OSA as “content of such a nature that it is reasonable to assume that it was produced solely or principally for the purpose of sexual arousal.” Ofcom’s attempt to clarify what content is and is not “pornographic” seemed complicated and vastly over-inclusive to many of the attendees, who encouraged the regulator to narrow and simplify their definition.

The event also included a presentation on what “highly effective age assurance” means in practice, which was largely a recitation of the criteria outlined in the proposed guidance. This was followed by a panel featuring representatives from Aylo, WGCZ, and Hammy Media discussing the trust and safety measures each platform employs.

The final presentation focused on how websites can prevent non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII), also known as “revenge porn,” on their platforms by using StopNCII.org’s hash lists. By simply integrating StopNCII’s API, services can check user-submitted content against their database of image and video hashes. Any platform wishing to thwart intimate image abuse by integrating the tool should email partner@swgfl.org.uk.

In her closing remarks, the Online Safety Supervision Director announced that Ofcom will be launching an awareness campaign in the fall to inform the industry about their obligations under the OSA. To facilitate this, Ofcome has created a one-stop landing page for adult content platforms at ofcom.org.uk/adultsonly with the proposals themselves, as well as ways to check whether the rules apply to your website. Platforms are encouraged to provide Ofcom’s Porn Supervision team with feedback.

https://www.freespeechcoalition.com/blog/fsc-executive-director-delivers-keynote-at-uk-age-assurance-regulator-event