The United Kingdom has imposed a fine of £1 million (approximately $2 million) on AVS Group Ltd, the operator of 18 adult websites, due to inadequate age verification measures. This penalty marks the largest to date under the nation’s new Online Safety Act, which aims to shield children from inappropriate content online.
Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, announced the fine after determining that AVS’s age verification process failed to meet necessary standards for protecting minors. In addition to the main fine, AVS has incurred an extra £50,000 penalty for not complying with information requests from Ofcom. The company did not respond to a request for comment from Reuters.
Background of the Online Safety Act
The Online Safety Act, which took effect earlier in 2025, is designed to safeguard children and vulnerable individuals from harmful online content. It has sparked considerable debate, particularly between UK authorities and US technology firms, with critics arguing that the law could infringe on free speech rights and disproportionately affect American companies.
This latest fine is notably the third enforcement action taken by Ofcom under the new regulatory framework. The first penalty was issued to the US-based website 4chan in October 2025, amounting to £20,000.
Ofcom began its investigation into AVS in July, examining multiple adult websites with significant traffic in the UK. The regulator concluded that the age verification processes implemented by AVS were not “highly effective.”
Potential Consequences for Non-Compliance
If AVS fails to implement effective age checks within 72 hours, the company could face additional penalties of £1,000 per day. In its statement, Ofcom affirmed its commitment to ensuring compliance with age check requirements across the adult content sector, indicating that further action may be taken against other services as necessary.
As the debate surrounding the Online Safety Act continues, the implications for online content providers and the broader tech industry remain significant. The UK government’s initiative reflects growing concerns over children’s safety in the digital landscape, while also highlighting the challenges of balancing regulatory measures with the principles of free expression.
