Porn sites must prevent under-18s from accessing X-rated content or face huge fines under new age-verification scheme

PORN sites must prevent people under 18 from accessing X-rated content or face hefty fines.

Downing Street, in a major turn-around, is bringing a new age verification program.

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Platforms hosting pornography will be legally responsible for carrying out “rigorous checks” to make sure users are adults.

Companies that fail to do so face penalties of up to 10% of their global revenue. And that figure could run into the billions of pounds for larger companies.

It is a specialty strengthen previous plansonly includes sites with user-generated content, but omits those that stream pornography.

Boris Johnson has ordered an increase in ID blockers amid growing warnings about teenagers’ exposure to adult content. One study found that more than half of 11- to 13-year-olds viewed adult material online.

Of these, about two-thirds said they came across this content by chance.

Digital Minister Chris Philp said: “Parents deserve the peace of mind that their children are protected online.

“We are currently consolidating Online Safety Bill so it applies to all porn sites to ensure we achieve our aim of making the internet a safer place for children. ”

Former Children’s Commissioner Anne Longfield said: “For too long, the Government and porn companies have turned a blind eye and Children have been allowed access to obscene contentinappropriate and extreme content.

“We need tough new rules that are properly enforced and hold the internet giants accountable so we can keep our kids safe.”

To verify the user’s age, the player may have to enter credit card details.