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UK age check law seems to be hurting sites that comply, helping those that don’t
The UK’s Online Safety Act requires age verification on adult sites, impacting web traffic. Compliant sites see a drop in visitors, while non-compliant ones experience traffic surges, with some doubling their audience. Experts note this exemplifies 'unintended consequences' of legislation meant to protect users.
Key points
- The UK law mandates age verification for pornography websites.
- Compliant sites, like Bluesky and Reddit, are facing decreased traffic.
- 14 non-compliant sites saw significant traffic increases, some doubling their visitors.
- Researcher John Scott-Railton highlights that the law undermines its intended goal, benefiting non-compliant sites.
Why it matters
- This situation reflects common issues in tech regulation, particularly in age verification.
- Similar trends have emerged in other regions where controversial internet legislation led to unintended consequences.
- The enforcement of strict online regulations parallels a broader trend as policymakers grapple with protecting minors while ensuring user freedom.
The UK age verification law unintentionally boosts traffic to non-compliant sites while hindering those that follow the rules, showcasing the complexities of internet regulation.