Overview

• Enforcement kicks in on July 25, requiring all online services offering adult, self-harm, or violent content to verify age before granting access.
• Reddit, Bluesky, and PornHub have accelerated rollouts of third-party age verification tools in preparation for the deadline.
• Ofcom’s seven approved verification methods cover document scans, biometric checks, financial and network data, and email-based estimation.
• Privacy specialists caution that centralized collection of sensitive data could normalize mass surveillance and heighten breach risks.
• Ofcom concedes that VPN use remains a significant loophole for underage users seeking to bypass age checks.