Tag: OFCOM
Porn websites must introduce age checks by July 2025, under new Ofcom rules
Ofcom has published industry guidance on effective age checks to prevent children from encountering online porn Pornography services must introduce age checks by July 2025 at the latest Enforcement programme opening to monitor industry compliance Ofcom today (January 16th 2025) published new industry guidance on age verification for online services, a crucial step in implementing…
All porn sites must introduce ‘robust’ age-checking, Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin launches New Glenn into orbit
All websites on which pornographic material can be found, including social media platforms, must introduce "robust" age-checking techniques such as demanding photo ID or running credit card checks for UK users by July. The long-awaited guidance, issued by regulator Ofcom, has been made under the Online Safety Act (OSA), and is intended to prevent children…
7 in 10 UK home now have access to full fibre
Ofcom has just published its Connected Nations 2024 report, which outlines progress on the availability and take-up of broadband and mobile services in the UK. It finds that nearly seven in 10 (69% or 20.7 million) UK homes now have access to full-fibre broadband, up from 57% (17.1 million) in September 2023. Taking full-fibre and…
NOW Broadband is most complained about broadband provider
Once again Now Broadand generated the most fixed broadband complaints while EE was the most complained about landline provider, according to latest Ofcom figures. As the UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom receives complaints from customers about their landline, fixed broadband, pay-monthly mobile and pay-TV services. To better understand the reasons for dissatisfaction among residential customers in…
Broadband, TV, mobile switchers could make annual savings £235, Which? reveals
Broadband, TV and mobile customers could save up to £235 a year by switching deals, Which? research has revealed. The consumer association surveyed more than 5,000 customers whose broadband, combined broadband and TV or mobile phone contract had ended in the past 12 months, asking if they had switched or haggled, and how much they…
Social media faces tough sanctions under new Ofcom measures, US introduces ‘click to cancel’ rights
Social media companies will face punishments for failing to keep children safe on their platforms, communications watchdog Ofcom has warned. Services like Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp could face fines from the regulator if they do not comply with the new Online Safety Act - which comes into force early next year - Ofcom chief executive Dame…
Recycled phone numbers leaving users exposed to hacking, Which? warns
Mobile phone users could be at risk of hacking, nuisance calls and messages or having their phone cut off due to little-known rules around recycling of old phone numbers, Which? warns. The consumer watchdog has uncovered that there are risks posed by existing phone numbers that get reused by other consumers – from social media…
Ofcom rules on roaming charge alerts for UK holidaymakers
UK mobile customers will be better protected against unexpected roaming charges while using their phone abroad and at home under new rules that come into force today, claims Ofcom. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, the EU's ‘roam like at home’ rules – as well as UK law requiring mobile operators to alert customers…
Ofcom introduces ‘one touch’ broadband switching
Broadband and landline customers can now switch network under a new ‘one touch’ process, where they only have to contact their new provider. Since 2015, people have been able to switch between phone and broadband providers on Openreach’s network – such as BT and Sky – by following a process where their new provider manages…
File downloads take longer on O2 than other networks, Ofcom finds
File downloads take longer on O2 over 4G and 5G than on the other mobile networks, according to new Ofcom research published today. Ofcom’s latest ‘Mobile Matters’ research report puts people’s experiences of using mobile networks across the UK under the microscope, based on crowdsourced data collected between October 2023 and March 2024. Its analysis shows…
