Porn site faces being BLOCKED as watchdog launches probe into illegal content complaints
A PORN site is under investigation after complaints of suspected illegal material appearing on it.
In serious cases, XXX platforms can now be blocked from the UK if owners are found to have broken tough new laws and fail to make drastic changes.
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Regulator Ofcom says it is looking into whether the platform breached the UK's new online safety laws after bosses failed to respond to requests for key information.
The watchdog was prompted into action after receiving complaints about potential illegal content and activity, including child sexual abuse material and extreme pornography.
Two investigations are being carried out into the site's owner Kick Online Entertainment.
Ofcom had asked the company to provide a risk assessment over the potential for illegal content to appear on the porn site.
Due to Kick Online Entertainment's failure to respond, the regulator said it was now investigating whether the firm had not met legal requirements to complete and keep a record of an illegal content risk assessment - as well as failing to respond to an information request.
"In light of this, we will also be considering whether the provider has put appropriate safety measures in place to protect its UK users from illegal content and activity and may launch an additional investigation into its compliance with this duty if appropriate," Ofcom said.
The Online Safety Act was passed in 2023 in a bid to make the internet safer, particularly for children.
In March, the regulator kick-started a programme to check website operators are complying with their duties.
Under the law, Ofcom can impose hefty fines of up to £18million or 10 per cent of the a company's worldwide revenue, whichever is greater.
In serious cases, it can seek a court order requiring payment providers and advertisers to stop working on the platform.
First country in the world BANS social media for under-16s outlawing Instagram & TikTok in move that could sweep globe
It can even get internet service providers to block access to the site from being visible in the UK.
"We will now gather and analyse evidence to determine whether a contravention has occurred.
"If our assessment indicates a compliance failure, we will issue a provisional notice of contravention to the provider, who can then make representations on our findings, before we make our final decision.
"We will provide regular updates as these investigations progress."
What is the Online Safety Act?
The online safety act is a new set of duties that social media companies and search services have to comply with to operate in the UK.
Media regulator Ofcom is responsible for keeping relevant tech companies in check against the law.
Enforcement has been introduced in stages.
Platforms must protect users from a range of content, including child sexual abuse, fraud and terrorism.
And the sites must take steps to prevent children from accessing things like pornography or content that encourages suicide.
There are also offences that apply to individuals too, including:
encouraging or assisting serious self-harm
cyberflashing
sending false information intended to cause non-trivial harm
threatening communications
intimate image abuse
epilepsy trolling
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