United Kingdom: Office of Communications announced investigation into user-to-user platforms hosting adult content and search services to assess compliance with age assurance measures under the Online Safety Act 2023

On 16 January 2025, Ofcom announced they were opening an investigation into platforms displaying or publishing their own pornographic content (Part 5 services) to assess their compliance with age assurance measures under the Online Safety Act, which came into effect on 17 January 2025. Part 5 of the Act requires regulated providers to implement highly effective age verification or estimation measures to ensure children under 18 are not normally able to encounter such content. Ofcom's enforcement programme will initially focus on reviewing compliance across the adult sector, starting with letters to all Part 5 service providers requesting confirmation of their implemented age assurance measures. Ofcom’s Supervision team will lead direct engagement with regulated services, including one-to-one interactions with high-risk providers, participation in industry conferences, and creative communications to raise awareness of the new obligations.