Australia today becomes the first country in the world to introduce an outright ban on under-16s holding social media accounts, a move that has captured global attention. Governments from Europe to North America are already signalling that they are watching closely – not only to see whether the policy reduces online harms, but also to […]
Today marks a coming-of-age moment for the internet. With the release of Ofcom’s finalised Protection of Children Codes, thousands of online platforms – whether large, small, search-based, or social- now face a legal and moral responsibility to better protect the youngest and most vulnerable members of society. These codes, shaped by extensive consultation with over […]
Monday, March 17th, 2025, marked a significant milestone in the UK’s journey to a safer internet. From this date, online platforms are required to implement measures to protect users in the UK from illegal content, including child sexual exploitation and abuse. It also marks the launch of Ofcom’s latest enforcement programme to assess industry compliance. […]
The release of the long-awaited Porn Review, led by Baroness Gabby Bertin, marks a significant step toward better regulation of online pornography. This review presents 32 recommendations aimed at curbing harmful and illegal content, ensuring that online standards align more closely with those applied to offline media. Having given evidence to the review panel regarding […]
The Australian Government has commissioned a landmark trial of age assurance technologies, which is due to report this summer. Verifymy has submitted a number of its methods for this independent assessment, including our innovative email-based age estimation solution. This article delves into how the trial came about, the scope of the study and the implications […]
Safer Internet Day 2025 takes place this year on Tuesday, 11th February. It brings together organisations, educators, policymakers, and individuals from around the world to promote a safer, more responsible, and more empowering online experience for everyone. The annual event started as a European initiative and has grown into a truly global movement spanning more […]
The US Supreme Court has heard a landmark case on age verification, a legal battle that brings into sharp focus the complex interplay between constitutional rights and child safety. At the heart of the case is the question of how best to balance the free speech rights guaranteed by the First Amendment with the government’s […]
On 16th January 2025, Ofcom released guidance on age assurance criteria for adult content providers under the UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA). Pornography websites, starting with sites that publish their own content, must now show how they are protecting children from adult material online. Other platforms, including content aggregators and user-generated platforms, have until July […]
2024 marked a watershed moment for online safety as governments worldwide transitioned from policy discussions to implementation. The rollout of key legislation such as the UK’s Online Safety Act and the enforcement of the EU’s Digital Services Act signaled a global shift toward accountability. Australia has made global headlines by passing legislation to ban social […]
Today marks a pivotal moment in the journey toward a safer internet as Ofcom publishes its Illegal Harms statement, officially initiating the implementation of the Online Safety Act (OSA). This announcement represents the first step in a comprehensive rollout designed to protect users—particularly children—from harmful and illegal content online. As an online safeguarding and safety tech […]
Australia has made global headlines by passing legislation to ban social media access for children under 16, marking the strongest regulatory move of its kind to date. This landmark law, which gives platforms one year to comply, could set a powerful precedent for other countries aiming to safeguard children online. The legislation requires platforms like […]
As the U.S. welcomes a new government, questions arise about its priorities for technology policy and online safety. With increasing bipartisan concern over harmful content, data privacy, and the protection of minors online, the coming years could mark a turning point for online safety in the U.S. The new administration and Congress have a unique […]
The Draft Statement of Strategic Priorities for Online Safety, published on 20 November, outlines the UK Government’s overarching objectives for ensuring safer online environments. Central to achieving this is the use of age assurance technology to ensure platforms provide age-appropriate and secure digital experiences while respecting user privacy and promoting accessibility. Let’s explore the Government’s […]
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 of harassment that can lead […]
Monday, March 17th, 2025, marked a significant milestone in the UK’s journey to a safer internet. From this date, online platforms are required to implement measures to protect users in the UK from illegal content, including child sexual exploitation and abuse. It also marks the launch of Ofcom’s latest enforcement programme to assess industry compliance. […]
The release of the long-awaited Porn Review, led by Baroness Gabby Bertin, marks a significant step toward better regulation of online pornography. This review presents 32 recommendations aimed at curbing harmful and illegal content, ensuring that online standards align more closely with those applied to offline media. Having given evidence to the review panel regarding […]
The Australian Government has commissioned a landmark trial of age assurance technologies, which is due to report this summer. Verifymy has submitted a number of its methods for this independent assessment, including our innovative email-based age estimation solution. This article delves into how the trial came about, the scope of the study and the implications […]
Safer Internet Day 2025 takes place this year on Tuesday, 11th February. It brings together organisations, educators, policymakers, and individuals from around the world to promote a safer, more responsible, and more empowering online experience for everyone. The annual event started as a European initiative and has grown into a truly global movement spanning more […]
The US Supreme Court has heard a landmark case on age verification, a legal battle that brings into sharp focus the complex interplay between constitutional rights and child safety. At the heart of the case is the question of how best to balance the free speech rights guaranteed by the First Amendment with the government’s […]
On 16th January 2025, Ofcom released guidance on age assurance criteria for adult content providers under the UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA). Pornography websites, starting with sites that publish their own content, must now show how they are protecting children from adult material online. Other platforms, including content aggregators and user-generated platforms, have until July […]
2024 marked a watershed moment for online safety as governments worldwide transitioned from policy discussions to implementation. The rollout of key legislation such as the UK’s Online Safety Act and the enforcement of the EU’s Digital Services Act signaled a global shift toward accountability. Australia has made global headlines by passing legislation to ban social […]
Today marks a pivotal moment in the journey toward a safer internet as Ofcom publishes its Illegal Harms statement, officially initiating the implementation of the Online Safety Act (OSA). This announcement represents the first step in a comprehensive rollout designed to protect users—particularly children—from harmful and illegal content online. As an online safeguarding and safety tech […]
Australia has made global headlines by passing legislation to ban social media access for children under 16, marking the strongest regulatory move of its kind to date. This landmark law, which gives platforms one year to comply, could set a powerful precedent for other countries aiming to safeguard children online. The legislation requires platforms like […]
As the U.S. welcomes a new government, questions arise about its priorities for technology policy and online safety. With increasing bipartisan concern over harmful content, data privacy, and the protection of minors online, the coming years could mark a turning point for online safety in the U.S. The new administration and Congress have a unique […]
The Draft Statement of Strategic Priorities for Online Safety, published on 20 November, outlines the UK Government’s overarching objectives for ensuring safer online environments. Central to achieving this is the use of age assurance technology to ensure platforms provide age-appropriate and secure digital experiences while respecting user privacy and promoting accessibility. Let’s explore the Government’s […]
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 of harassment that can lead […]
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 active profiles. The law, expected […]
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” for online service providers, particularly those […]
