Ethical hackers Chris Kubecka and Paula Popovici have demonstrated how easily age verification systems can be bypassed on adult websites in just seconds. The new rules, which came into force on Friday, require companies hosting adult content online to block under-18s using highly effective age verification methods such as AI tools or browser cookies.
However, the hackers used widely available technology and simple tricks to access numerous pornography sites without verifying their ages. Their devices were running standard software, and they confirmed that the systems will not be effective at stopping under-18s from accessing explicit content online.
The regulators Ofcom said the new checks “will help stop young children from stumbling across porn” but acknowledged that some websites had not turned on age verification despite declaring in June that they would. The regulator will actively assess compliance to ensure platforms have age checks in place and that they are highly effective.
There is also a risk that age verification could push users towards more dangerous corners of the internet in search of pornography. Data suggests an extra 66,000 internet users in the UK had begun using the dark web by 10am on Friday. Experts warn that this number may increase if people use tools to bypass age checks.
The regulators also warned that sites “must not encourage or direct users to get around age checks” and that people should be aware of the risks of using such tools. Despite these warnings, advertising data shows companies were targeting UK users and promoting tools that could bypass the verification.
Source: https://news.sky.com/story/hackers-prove-age-verification-systems-on-pornography-sites-can-be-bypassed-in-seconds-13401733