Ofcom drops OnlyFans probe into underage user access
Ofcom has dropped an investigation into whether subscription site OnlyFans is doing enough to prevent under-18s accessing pornography on the platform.
However, the regulator said it is continuing with a probe into whether the site failed to provide it with complete and accurate information when requested.
In a statement on its website, it said it has 'revised the scope' of its investigation, but added: 'Where appropriate, Ofcom's supervision team will continue to engage with OnlyFans around the way it implements measures to protect children from restricted material.'
Ofcom first opened the investigation in May last year over concerns about the implementation of age verification measures designed to stop those under 18 from accessing inappropriate material.
Under existing rules which pre-date the Online Safety Act, video-sharing platforms established in the UK are required to take appropriate action to prevent under-18s accessing pornographic material.
At the time, OnlyFans said a 'coding configuration issue' around its age verification tools had led to a reporting error, which it had proactively amended with Ofcom once discovered.
'We are making no findings on these issues and, should further information come to light, reserve our right to reopen this investigation,' Ofcom said in its statement.
An OnlyFans spokesman said: 'We welcome today's decision from Ofcom.
'Since 2021, OnlyFans has used the Government-approved age-assurance provider Yoti to check that UK fans are over the age of 18. At all times OnlyFans' age assurance was set to at least 20 years old.
'OnlyFans is, and has always been, confident that these measures are sufficient to meet our obligations to protect under-18s from accessing restricted material.'
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