OnlyFans fined over person age-check info failings
OnlyFans’ mum or dad firm has been fined £1.05m after giving inaccurate details about the measures it had in place to examine the age of its customers.
The platform – which is understood for internet hosting sexually express materials – says individuals who go to it have to be a minimum of 18 years previous.
It makes use of facial age estimation expertise – supplied by a 3rd occasion – the place a selfie is analysed to work out how previous a potential person is.
The platform’s proprietor, Fenix, mentioned it was set to flag anybody who gave the impression to be beneath the age of 23, who would then be requested to offer an additional type of ID.
Nonetheless, it later disclosed the tech’s goal age had actually been set to twenty.
Ofcom has concluded that meant Fenix contravened its authorized obligation to offer correct info, so levied the high quality.
“Receiving correct and full info is prime for Ofcom to do its job as a regulator and to grasp and monitor how platforms are working,” mentioned 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 high quality – which has been decreased by 30% as a result of it has been accepted by Fenix – will likely be handed to HM Treasury.
In a press release, OnlyFans mentioned: “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.”
Yoti, the corporate which gives the age estimation expertise, mentioned the choice to set the problem age at 20 reasonably than 23 had been Fenix’s.
“The edge is all the time set by the enterprise, reasonably than by Yoti,” it informed the BBC in a press release.
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 12 months – locations higher duties on tech corporations to guard individuals, together with the younger, from dangerous content material on-line.
Critics say it doesn’t go far sufficient, with the federal 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 “sturdy” measures in place by July 2025.
The platform is finest recognized for internet hosting grownup content material, with customers paying a subscription to view express materials, but additionally presents content material from musicians and celebrities.
In 2021, it launched a pornography-free TV streaming service.
