Ofcom Suggests Scanning Porn Users’ Faces to Prove Age
In a bid to shield the innocence of minors from the risqué realms of the internet, Ofcom is contemplating a rather peculiar solution – facial scans for porn enthusiasts. Imagine the scene: you’re all geared up for some adult content, but before the pixels dance on your screen, your face becomes the gatekeeper. Ofcom’s grand plan involves turning your face into the ultimate age-verification key, ensuring that only those old enough to sport a knowing smile get access to the adult playground.
Now, let’s unpack this: nearly 14 million Brits regularly indulge in online pornography, according to the latest Ofcom report. It seems that the struggle to keep the virtual bedroom doors closed to minors is very real. With the average age for a first encounter with adult content being 13, Ofcom is determined to tighten the reins. But here’s the twist – the proposed methods include not just the usual suspects like government-issued IDs and credit card checks, but also a starring role for facial age-estimation tech. Yes, your face becomes the arbiter of your digital desires.
Enter the privacy concerns and potential pitfalls. Explicit website Pornhub, a behemoth in the online adult entertainment arena, raises a red flag. The prospect of collecting “highly sensitive personal information” has them crying foul, emphasizing that this might jeopardize user safety. The irony of adult sites worrying about privacy in the midst of an age-verification hullabaloo is a head-scratcher. Are we witnessing the birth of a new era where your passport is the ultimate adult content ticket? Stay tuned as the UK navigates the uncharted waters of facial scans in the name of keeping it clean