Know-how reporter
Getty PicturesOnlyFans’ father or mother firm has been fined £1.05m after giving inaccurate details about the measures it had in place to examine the age of its customers.
Ofcom had pressed the platform – which is thought for internet hosting sexually specific materials – about the way it was implementing age checks.
The platform’s proprietor, Fenix, stated it used so-called facial age estimation know-how – offered by a 3rd social gathering – which was set to flag anybody who gave the impression to be underneath the age of 23.
Nonetheless, the web site later disclosed the tech’s goal age had actually been set to twenty.
That led to an investigation by Ofcom, which has concluded Fenix contravened its authorized obligation to offer correct info, and prompted the wonderful.
“Receiving correct and full info is prime for Ofcom to do its job as a regulator and to know and monitor how platforms are working,” stated Suzanne Cater, Ofcom’s Enforcement Director
“We’ll maintain platforms to excessive requirements and won’t hesitate to take enforcement motion the place we discover failings.”
The proceeds of the wonderful – which has been diminished by 30% as a result of it has been accepted by Fenix – can be handed to HM Treasury.
In an announcement, OnlyFans stated: “OnlyFans recognises the significance of offering Ofcom with correct and well timed info.
“We welcome the conclusion of this course of and Ofcom’s earlier choice to shut their investigation into our age assurance measures.”
The regulator made its preliminary enquiries in June 2022 and June 2023 utilizing powers that pre-date the On-line Security Act (OSA).
The OSA – which is coming into pressure absolutely this yr – locations larger tasks on tech companies to guard folks, together with the younger, from dangerous content material on-line.
Critics say it doesn’t go far sufficient, with the government conceding it’s “uneven.”
Taking more durable motion on age assurance is a key requirement of the act.
Websites, together with OnlyFans, have been informed they might want to have “robust” measures in place by July 2025.
The platform is finest identified for internet hosting grownup content material, with customers paying a subscription to view specific materials, but in addition provides content material from musicians and celebrities.
In 2023, it launched a pornography-free TV streaming service.
