UK communications regulator Ofcom has initiated formal investigations into four companies responsible for operating 34 pornography websites, examining whether they comply with new age-check requirements introduced under the UK’s Online Safety Act. These measures are aimed at protecting children from accessing explicit content online.
New Age-Verification Requirements
The investigations follow the enforcement of stricter rules under the Online Safety Act, which came into effect on 25 July 2025. Under these provisions, websites that allow user-uploaded pornographic content are now legally required to implement “highly effective age assurance measures”. These mechanisms must ensure that children cannot access adult material.
Ahead of the July deadline, thousands of pornography websites either committed to implementing such age-verification systems or chose to restrict access for UK users entirely, avoiding regulatory scrutiny. Ofcom has since launched a compliance programme to monitor whether platforms are adhering to these legal responsibilities.
Companies Under Investigation
Ofcom has now opened investigations into the following four providers:
8579 LLC
AVS Group
Kick Online Entertainment
Trendio
These companies were selected based on a risk-based approach, considering both the potential harm posed by the content and the volume of UK users. The 34 websites run by these four firms reportedly attract over 9 million unique monthly visitors from the UK.
The regulator is assessing whether these platforms have deployed robust age-check systems, such as biometric verification, government-issued ID checks, or third-party age assurance technology.
Wider Enforcement Strategy
These latest probes add to 11 ongoing investigations by Ofcom. These include actions against:
4chan, known for hosting harmful and extreme content
An online suicide forum
Seven file-sharing platforms suspected of distributing illegal content
First Time Videos and Itai Tech, which also operate adult sites under scrutiny
The regulator has signaled that more enforcement actions are expected in the coming weeks and months as it intensifies oversight under the new law.
Next Steps in the Investigation
Ofcom will now begin a detailed evidence-gathering and analysis phase to determine whether these companies are in breach of the Online Safety Act’s age assurance obligations. If violations are found, Ofcom will issue provisional notices of contravention, which give the companies a chance to respond before any final decisions are made.
Potential outcomes for confirmed breaches include fines, enforcement orders, or requiring platforms to withdraw access from UK users until compliant systems are in place.
Ofcom has committed to providing public updates on the progress of these investigations and is expected to play a central role in shaping the future of online safety regulation in the UK, particularly for content posing harm to children.
TelecomLead.com News Desk