What's happened
Ofcom is investigating OnlyFans over concerns that the platform may not be doing enough to prevent children from accessing pornography due to inadequate age verification measures. OnlyFans, a UK-based platform known for hosting adult content, is under scrutiny for potentially failing to sufficiently protect under-18s from explicit material.
Why it matters
The investigation into OnlyFans highlights the importance of robust age verification measures on online platforms to protect minors from accessing inappropriate content. If found guilty of inadequate measures, OnlyFans may face regulatory action and be required to enhance its safeguards to ensure compliance with online safety regulations. This case underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing freedom of expression with the protection of vulnerable users, particularly in the digital age.
What the papers say
The Independent and The Guardian both report on Ofcom's investigation into OnlyFans over concerns of children accessing pornography on the platform. While The Independent focuses on the formal proceedings initiated by Ofcom and OnlyFans' response regarding age verification measures, The Guardian delves into the technical error that led to the platform's age estimation process potentially allowing underage users to sign up. The differing perspectives shed light on the complexities of implementing effective age verification systems on platforms hosting adult content.
How we got here
OnlyFans, a subscription-based platform, has faced scrutiny over its age verification practices amid concerns that minors could access explicit material. The investigation by Ofcom follows regulations requiring platforms to prevent under-18s from viewing pornographic content. OnlyFans' reliance on age estimation technology and the reported coding error that may have allowed underage users to sign up have raised questions about the platform's compliance with online safety standards.
Common question
More on these topics
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OnlyFans is a content subscription service based in London. Content creators can earn money from users who subscribe to their content—the "fans".
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The Office of Communications, commonly known as Ofcom, is the government-approved regulatory and competition authority for the broadcasting, telecommunications and postal industries of the United Kingdom.