The Online Safety Bill is a landmark piece of UK legislation designed to make the internet safer for everyone—especially children. First published as a draft on 12 May 2021, it follows the Government’s Online Harms White Paper and introduces a comprehensive regulatory framework that compels UK tech companies to take responsibility for the content on their platforms.

In this blog, we’ll explain how the bill affects online businesses, why age verification is essential for compliance, and what your company can do now to prepare.

The Origin: Online Harms White Paper

The Online Safety Bill stems from growing public concern over illegal content, cyberbullying, and child exploitation online. The UK Government responded with the Online Harms White Paper, which marked the beginning of a bold plan to “make Britain the safest place in the world to be online.”

With the increasing accessibility of the internet and the rise of user-generated content, it became clear that existing regulations weren’t enough. The Online Harms Bill was the first step toward systemic change.

Who Will Be Affected by the Online Safety Bill?

The bill primarily impacts businesses that:

• Allow user-to-user interactions
• Host user-generated content
• Provide search engine services

This includes social media platforms, video-sharing websites, dating apps, forums, and any online service where users can upload or share content. If your business operates in these sectors, you’ll be legally required to assess the risks posed to children and introduce safety features, such as age verification technology.

What Are the New “Safety Duties”?

The Online Safety Bill introduces strict new “safety duties” for tech companies. These include:

• Removing illegal content quickly and effectively
• Preventing the spread of harmful material
• Assessing whether children are likely to access the service
• Implementing robust age verification software to protect minors

Failure to do so could result in severe regulatory penalties.

When Will the Online Safety Bill Become Law?

While there’s no fixed date, the Online Safety Bill has strong backing from Government and was featured in the Queen’s Speech—highlighting its national importance.

The next stages include:

1. Pre-legislative scrutiny by a joint committee from the House of Commons and House of Lords
2. Formal introduction to Parliament (expected after summer 2021)
3. Full legislative review, which may take several years

However, with strong public and political momentum, UK businesses are urged to prepare now rather than wait.

‘Safety by Design’ and Government Guidance

On 29 June, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) released new guidance to help businesses create safer digital environments. The emphasis is on:

• Data privacy and child protection
• Minimising risk on live streaming and user-generated content platforms
• Encouraging “safety by design” practices in product development

This aligns with the upcoming Age Appropriate Design Code (AADC), another major shift in digital regulation.

What Is the Age Appropriate Design Code (AADC)?

The AADC comes into force on 2 September and sets out 15 data protection standards for online services likely to be accessed by children in the UK.

Key elements include:

• Recognising the age of individual users
• Tailoring content and data practices to their age group
• Using age verification tools to prevent access to inappropriate services

The AADC is a direct result of the EU Audio-Visual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) and places strong emphasis on user privacy and platform accountability.

What Are the Risks of Non-Compliance?

The draft version of the Online Safety Bill gives Ofcom—the UK’s media and communications regulator—the power to:

• Fine companies up to £18 million or 10% of global turnover (whichever is higher)
• Pursue criminal penalties against senior managers and executives for persistent non-compliance

This is one of the most significant regulatory changes to hit the UK’s digital sector and will affect businesses of all sizes.

Online Safety Is Now a Legal Responsibility

Online safety is no longer just an ethical consideration—it’s a legal requirement. Both the Online Safety Bill and AADC aim to create a secure digital space for users of all ages, especially children. Businesses must now build in safety features from the ground up and demonstrate that they are protecting their users in meaningful ways.

How 18Verified Helps Your Business Stay Compliant

At 18Verified, we make age verification simple, secure, and cost-effective. Our technology ensures you comply with UK regulations while delivering a seamless experience to your users.

• ✅ Frictionless user journey
• ✅ Certified to PAS 1296:2018 standards
• ✅ API or plug-and-play options
• ✅ Affordable subscription model
• ✅ One login across all participating 18+ sites

Whether you’re a content creator platform, ecommerce business, or adult service provider, 18Verified helps you stay ahead of the curve and avoid costly mistakes.

Take Action Today

Want to avoid fines, protect your users, and meet all upcoming legal requirements?

👉 Learn more about 18Verified
👉 Speak to our team

Tags: Online Safety Bill, UK internet law, age verification software, AADC, digital safety, child protection, PAS 1296, 18Verified, regulatory compliance, Online Harms Bill

A recent BBC investigation has uncovered serious flaws in the age verification system used by OnlyFans, revealing how underage users were able to upload and sell explicit content on the platform. This disturbing revelation highlights a growing issue: many online platforms still lack effective age verification safeguards.

As the UK prepares to enforce the Online Safety Bill, age verification will no longer be optional—it will be a legal requirement. In this article, we explore how stronger verification systems like 18Verified will shape the future of digital safety and protect young people from harmful content.

The Rise of OnlyFans — and Its Verification Failures

OnlyFans became a major player in the online content world during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among adult content creators and sex workers. The Essex-based platform lets creators earn money through paid subscriptions, offering exclusive content to fans.

However, its age verification methods have come under scrutiny. Several reports revealed that underage users—as young as 13—were able to bypass checks by using older relatives’ IDs. In one case, a 14-year-old girl used her grandmother’s passport and bank details to create an account, exploiting weak photo comparison technology.

This failure has not only harmed vulnerable users but has also drawn regulatory attention to platforms that fail to implement robust identity checks.

Why Age Verification Must Evolve

OnlyFans currently requires new users to upload a selfie holding a photo ID. But this manual method is easily exploited, especially when there’s no real-time, AI-driven validation or third-party database cross-check.

That’s where modern age verification technology comes in — using AI-powered facial estimation, ID matching, government database integration, and even mobile phone checks to provide frictionless and secure compliance.

The Online Safety Bill: A New Era of Compliance

The UK’s Online Safety Bill, now progressing through Parliament, will require all platforms that host user-generated content to:

• Assess whether children are likely to access their site
• Implement strong age verification measures
• Be accountable to Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator

Under this bill, platforms that fail to comply face fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global turnover, whichever is higher. Criminal sanctions for senior staff are also being considered.

This bill follows the abandoned Digital Economy Act, and now fully repeals its unfinished age verification rules. The new law puts clear pressure on platforms to get it right—or face consequences.

Europe Leads the Way: The AVMSD Directive

The EU Audio-Visual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) sets a high bar. Since 2020, it has required video platforms across Europe to protect minors from harmful content and advertising.

Many member states have already faced penalties for failing to enforce these rules. This shows the seriousness of age verification on a continental scale—and why providers must act now to stay compliant globally.

What Effective Age Verification Looks Like

At 18Verified, we believe in frictionless compliance without compromising user privacy or site performance. Our solution includes:

• ✅ Government ID checks
• ✅ AI-powered age estimation
• ✅ Mobile phone-based verification
• ✅ Secure database cross-referencing
• ✅ One-login access for users across all participating sites

Our technology is certified to PAS 1296:2018, the UK’s official code of practice for online age checking.

Unlike pay-per-verification providers, 18Verified offers a low-cost, subscription-based model, saving businesses thousands annually while keeping them compliant and competitive.

Brand Reputation & Legal Risk: Why Businesses Must Act

According to recent industry surveys, 81% of online content providers say brand protection is their top priority when upgrading age verification. With growing risks of public backlash, legal action, and media exposure, no platform can afford to cut corners.

Equally, regulators must enforce the rules fairly—whether you’re a small creator platform or a multi-billion-pound enterprise.

Digital Safeguarding: The Future of Online Responsibility

With younger generations spending more time online, digital safeguarding is no longer optional—it’s essential. Businesses in the adult industry, especially platforms like OnlyFans, must adopt future-proof age verification solutions or risk being left behind.

Ready to Future-Proof Your Platform?

At 18Verified, we make it easy for businesses to meet the requirements of the Online Safety Bill—and beyond.

• ✅ Affordable subscription model
• ✅ Plug-and-play or API options
• ✅ Fully UK-compliant
• ✅ One login for users across all 18+ websites

👉 Click here to learn more
👉 Speak to our team today

Tags: age verification, Online Safety Bill, digital safeguarding, OnlyFans underage users, adult content compliance, 18+ verification, UK law, AVMSD, PAS 1296