Brits blush at prospect of ‘porn pass’
IMAGINE ducking down to the newsagent to pick up the newspaper, and perhaps an age verification card so you can watch internet porn.
That’s a potential reality facing Britons after the UK government last year approved the Digital Economy Act 2017. The legislation is designed, in part, to stop children accessing online pornography and one method of age verification being proposed by lawmakers is buying a special “porn pass” at corner stores with an identification card like a passport or drivers license.
The cards will have a 16-digit code meaning horny internet browsers would be able to avoid giving personal details online when asked to prove their age, according to The Independent.
The new law will require websites to verify the age of users or face stiff penalties like being blocked by internet service providers or face fines of up to $448,000.
More than 25 million Britons visit porn websites and the government is grappling with how to verify their age while protecting their privacy.
The government has cited platforms such as MindGeek’s AgeID as one way to verify a user’s age.
While selling porn passes at local newsagents is just one potential idea, many have reacted poorly to the proposal saying they would feel too embarrassed to buy one at their local store.