United Kingdom: Office of Communications published update for 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 3 April 2025, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) published an update on its enforcement programme concerning platforms that publish or display their own pornographic content (Part 5 services), assessing compliance with age assurance obligations under the Online Safety Act. Ofcom had written to providers following the Act’s entry into force on 17 January 2025, requiring the implementation of Highly Effective Age Assurance (HEAA) measures to prevent children from accessing pornographic content. Ofcom states that a number of providers have already implemented HEAA, while others have submitted compliance plans and timelines that are currently under review. Services that did not respond have been referred to Ofcom’s enforcement team, which will consider whether formal action is appropriate. By July 2025, all services hosting pornographic content, including those with user-generated material (Part 3 services), must have HEAA measures in place.