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Non-consensual intimate image sharing and the need for robust safeguarding solutions

Non-consensual intimate image sharing and the need for robust safeguarding solutions

What is non-consensual intimate image abuse? Non-consensual intimate image (NCII) abuse sharing, also known as “image-based sexual abuse”, is the unauthorised sharing, distribution, or publishing of explicit images or videos of a person without their permission. It is not only a severe violation of personal privacy but also a form

Australia plans social media ban for kids under 16

Australia plans social media ban for kids under 16

In a bold move to safeguard children online, Australia has announced plans to ban social media access for those under 16. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok will be required to prevent children from creating or accessing accounts, even if they have parental consent or already have

Ofcom’s approach to implementing the Online Safety Act: A timeline

Ofcom’s approach to implementing the Online Safety Act: A timeline

Since October 2023: What we know so far The Online Safety Act (OSA) received Royal Assent in October 2023 and mandates social media platforms and search engines to take action against illegal and harmful content, with a particular focus on protecting children. The Act mandates a "duty of care&

French regulator, Arcom, announces that porn sites with French users must implement age checks by 11th Jan ‘25

French regulator, Arcom, announces that porn sites with French users must implement age checks by 11th Jan ‘25

On Friday, French regulator Arcom announced that pornographic websites with French users will be required to implement age verification systems by January 11th, 2025. This requirement also extends to other user-to-user platforms that allow access to adult content, as outlined in the newly released technical reference guide for verification. Arcom

US and UK announce joint online safety partnership

US and UK announce joint online safety partnership

The UK and US governments have announced a new partnership between the two countries aimed at enhancing online child safety. This joint initiative will create a working group to share expertise and examine the effects of social media on children, with the goal of developing evidence-based policies. UK Technology Secretary

World Romance Scam Prevention day: Protecting hearts in the digital age

World Romance Scam Prevention day: Protecting hearts in the digital age

Every year, millions of people around the world fall victim to romance scams, a growing and heartbreaking form of fraud that preys on human vulnerability and trust. These scams not only shatter hearts, but also rob victims of their life savings and peace of mind. That’s why initiatives like

House advances updated KOSA 2.0: Renewed focus on child safety and free speech concerns

House advances updated KOSA 2.0: Renewed focus on child safety and free speech concerns

Last week, The U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce advanced a highly debated version of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), now referred to as "KOSA 2.0." This bill, initially passed in the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support, seeks to protect children online but has

Bridging the gap: How Spain's AEPD are navigating age assurance in the digital age

Bridging the gap: How Spain's AEPD are navigating age assurance in the digital age

Regulators often struggle to keep pace with innovation and technological change. This is not due to ignorance or incompetence but mostly because their powers are generally derived from statutes which are infrequently, if ever, updated. In the field of online safety, there are not even many laws in place to

Proportionality in age assurance: How to maintain compliance while balancing safeguarding and user experience

Age Verification

Proportionality in age assurance: How to maintain compliance while balancing safeguarding and user experience

For many online sites, platforms or businesses that sell or host age-restricted products and content, accurately determining the age of their users online is critical. Age assurance technologies offer a quick and accurate solution for determining user ages, ensuring compliance with age-related regulations and minimising disruption to the user experience.

Three-quarters of UK kids have experienced online harms, say parents

Three-quarters of UK kids have experienced online harms, say parents

* 38% say their kids have seen harmful or illegal content * 48% are now talking to kids about online safety at least weekly * 40% do not believe the measures taken by online platforms are sufficient to protect their children Three-quarters of UK parents (74%) say their kids have experienced online harms,

Senate passes legislation to protect children online: An overview of KOSA and COPPA 2.0

Senate passes legislation to protect children online: An overview of KOSA and COPPA 2.0

In a decisive move to enhance children's online safety, the Senate has passed landmark legislation designed to protect young users from the dangers kids face when on the internet. This package of bills, comprising the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection

Florida progresses new law to protect kids from social media and online harms

Florida progresses new law to protect kids from social media and online harms

Earlier this year, Florida passed a law, House Bill 3, prohibiting children under 14 from using social media platforms and requiring parental consent for those aged 15 or 16. It also requires measures to prevent minors from accessing online pornography. While the question of age verification for obscene content has

Innovative age assurance: Email address as the new benchmark for frictionless age estimation

Innovative age assurance: Email address as the new benchmark for frictionless age estimation

In the rapidly evolving environment of online interactions, age assurance is becoming a critical component for online platforms looking to maintain their integrity, protect their reputation and safeguard their users. Age assurance encompasses a suite of methods and technologies to verify and estimate users' ages to ensure they meet

A tale of two states: Social media & content moderation policy in Texas and Florida

A tale of two states: Social media & content moderation policy in Texas and Florida

The rise of social media and the associated concerns about its impact on users, especially youth, have led to numerous federal and state policies in the U.S. over the years. While increased awareness and actions addressing issues like content moderation, age verification, and parental consent are signs of progress,

Sextortion and the need for robust safeguarding solutions

Sextortion and the need for robust safeguarding solutions

Defining sextortion London’s Metropolitan Police define ‘Sextortion' as “the short name for 'financially motivated sexual extortion’. It is a type of online blackmail where criminals threaten to share sexual pictures, videos, or information” about the victim either to take money from them or to force them into

The false dilemma of privacy versus online safety

The false dilemma of privacy versus online safety

As the internet becomes increasingly embedded in young people’s day-to-day lives, the potential conflict between protecting youth online safety and safeguarding the right to privacy is only growing in importance. A recent Ofcom report indicated that half of children aged 3-12 are already active on at least one social

Age-restricted access to porn in the US: Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, and Nebraska next to implement age verification measures in July

Age-restricted access to porn in the US: Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, and Nebraska next to implement age verification measures in July

In a significant shift toward safeguarding minors online, five more U.S. states, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, and Nebraska, are set to implement new age verification measures for accessing pornographic content starting in July. The new laws will require websites hosting adult content to employ robust age verification systems to

Protecting children from online harms: Navigating Ofcom's recent consultation

Online Safety Act

Protecting children from online harms: Navigating Ofcom's recent consultation

Ofcom has just published for consultation its draft codes and associated guidance for protecting children from harms online, the key objective of the Online Safety Act 2023. Given the volume of material, in this article we provide a brief overview of the proposals and highlight how VerifyMy can support services

Empowering users with optionality: The future of age verification and estimation

Empowering users with optionality: The future of age verification and estimation

In April, the world's leading experts on privacy-preserving, secure, and reliable age assurance measures came together at The Global Age Assurance Standards Summit 2024 to discuss the future of enabling a safer online experience for children. The event shed light on the evolving landscape of age assurance (age

Business Best Practice: Preparing for AI Regulation

artificial intelligence

Business Best Practice: Preparing for AI Regulation

Follow VerifyMy on LinkedIn to keep up to date with the latest safety tech and regulatory developments. The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) has been rapid, with 9 in 10 leading businesses (across 112 countries) leveraging some form of the technology within their operations. New use cases are constantly emerging,

VerifyMy Response to Ofcom Guidance on Age Assurance: a Call for Consistency, Swift Enforcement & Industry Collaboration

Online Safety Act

VerifyMy Response to Ofcom Guidance on Age Assurance: a Call for Consistency, Swift Enforcement & Industry Collaboration

Follow VerifyMy on LinkedIn to keep up to date with the latest safety tech and regulatory developments. The Online Safety Act (OSA) received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023. It creates a new regulatory framework designed to make regulated internet services safer for users in the UK, particularly for children.

Supporting the DSA Implementation: How the EC is taking the lead on ensuring the effectiveness of the new rules and the protection of users online

Digital Services Act

Supporting the DSA Implementation: How the EC is taking the lead on ensuring the effectiveness of the new rules and the protection of users online

Follow VerifyMy on LinkedIn to keep up to date with the latest safety tech and regulatory developments. The Digital Services Act (DSA) has recently reached full force as of February 17, 2024. However, big tech players have been under its scope since August 2023. The European Commission (EC) has been

Young People Encounter Harmful, Age-Restricted and Illegal Content Within Minutes of Going Online

Safer Internet Day

Young People Encounter Harmful, Age-Restricted and Illegal Content Within Minutes of Going Online

Follow VerifyMy on LinkedIn to keep up to date with the latest safety tech and regulatory developments. New research, launched on Safer Internet Day, reveals that shockingly almost one in ten (9%) young people have come across Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) on the internet. Findings also show that children

A Duty of Care: Why it’s time to Enhance Age Assurance and Content Moderation to Protect Children from Harmful Online Content

Safer Internet Day

A Duty of Care: Why it’s time to Enhance Age Assurance and Content Moderation to Protect Children from Harmful Online Content

Follow VerifyMy on LinkedIn to keep up to date with the latest safety tech and regulatory developments. In today’s digital-first environment, children are being routinely exposed to harmful, age-restricted and even illegal content online. The continued proliferation of smart devices and easy, anywhere access to user-generated content (UGC) through

Senate hearing over online harms

Senate hearing over online harms

Follow VerifyMy on LinkedIn to keep up to date with the latest safety tech and regulatory developments. “Speaking as someone who has been heavily involved in similar hearings related to online safety, they are invaluable in raising awareness on important topics. However, rather than pointing fingers now is the time