The UK’s communication regulator, Ofcom, has begun investigating two adult websites suspected of violating new online safety laws aimed at protecting children.
The sites, operated by Itai Tech Ltd and Score Internet Group LLC, are being scrutinised for allegedly failing to put in place proper measures to stop children from accessing pornographic content.
Earlier this year, the UK government introduced stricter rules under its new Online Safety Act, demanding that all websites featuring adult content use strong age-verification systems by July. These could include identity checks or credit card verifications.
According to Ofcom, many major pornographic websites have complied by submitting their age-check plans, and some have even restricted access to UK users entirely. However, the two websites under investigation neither responded to Ofcom’s inquiries nor showed any effort to follow the rules.
One of the websites, operated by Itai Tech Ltd, reportedly uses artificial intelligence to “undress” people in photos or videos—a controversial tech known as “nudifying.” The UK’s Children’s Commissioner has called for an outright ban on such AI tools, especially due to fears they could be misused to exploit minors.
If found guilty of breaching the new law, the companies risk heavy fines.
Ofcom noted that more online platforms—including social media apps—may also be required to implement age checks soon, marking a major shift in how adults in the UK access digital content. Apps like Discord have already started testing facial scanning for age verification.
However, some critics warn that strict rules may backfire, pushing young users toward underground sites that are harder to monitor and more dangerous.
