The UK's media regulator, Ofcom, has announced that around 6,000 adult websites in the country have begun implementing age verification measures to ensure that users are at least 18 years old. This move is seen as a significant step towards improving online safety for children, with Ofcom's CEO, Melanie Dawes, stating that the industry is finally taking action to address the issue.
According to Ofcom, no country has successfully implemented a similar measure, and no platform, including Elon Musk's X, has made a commitment to age verification. However, at least one major adult website operating in the UK appears to have not implemented age verification measures as of Friday morning.
Experts remain skeptical about the effectiveness of Ofcom's age verification measures, and there are concerns that people, especially children, may find ways to bypass these checks. The implementation of age verification measures is a complex issue, and it remains to be seen whether it will be effective in protecting children from online harm.