The Global Rise of Age Verification Laws: Who’s Next to Enforce Online Safety

As digital access becomes universal, more countries around the world are joining the movement to enforce age verification laws to protect minors from harmful online content. The global push toward robust age assurance systems is no longer limited to Europe, the UK, or Australia. Emerging markets across Asia, Oceania, Africa, and the Americas are now drafting or strengthening online safety regulations—especially around access to adult content, gambling, vaping, and other age-restricted services.

Why the Global Shift Is Happening

Growing concerns over children’s exposure to explicit material, graphic violence, online grooming, and unregulated platforms have led to a wave of legislative reforms worldwide. Countries are now prioritizing:

• Protecting underage users
• Enforcing digital accountability
• Aligning with global privacy and safety frameworks (e.g., GDPR, COPPA, DSA)

Platforms that fail to comply with new standards risk facing fines, user access restrictions, and reputational damage.

Countries Moving Toward Age Verification

New Zealand

New Zealand has expressed strong support for age assurance legislation, particularly for websites hosting pornographic or violent content. While currently operating under voluntary industry standards, lawmakers are considering regulations aligned with Australia’s Online Safety Act. Mandatory age verification for adult content is expected to be introduced in the coming year.

Japan

Japan is addressing the rising concern of child exploitation and exposure to inappropriate media. New proposals seek to introduce verified age checks for platforms hosting explicit content, online dating, and gambling services. The country is also testing facial age estimation and digital ID validation.

South Korea

Already known for its tech-forward regulation, South Korea is enhancing its cybersecurity and online youth protection framework. Upcoming revisions will likely include mobile SIM-based age verification, real-name authentication, and age checks for streaming and gaming platforms.

Singapore and Southeast Asia

Singapore is leading the charge in Southeast Asia by reviewing legislation that would require age verification for adult websites, online betting, and vape sales. Other countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Philippines are also reviewing age assurance as part of broader online safety laws.

Brazil

Brazil is expected to pass age verification laws aligned with the Marco Civil da Internet and updated child protection laws. These would target pornography, escort services, and age-restricted eCommerce, requiring ID checks or digital age assurance platforms.

South Africa

South Africa has introduced new draft legislation focusing on online child protection. This includes proposed requirements for websites offering adult content, vaping products, and gambling services to deploy age verification systems.

Age Verification Methods Gaining Global Approval

Globally, governments and regulators are aligning around several high-assurance age verification technologies:

• Photo ID + selfie matching
• Credit card verification
• Mobile network operator age checks
• Facial age estimation
• Email-based age analysis
• Open banking identity checks

Challenges for Global Businesses

If your business operates across borders and offers adult content, vaping, gambling, escort services, or CBD products, you need to prepare for a fragmented but fast-evolving global regulatory landscape. Each country may have:

• Different compliance deadlines
• Varying acceptable verification methods
• Distinct data protection laws

Ignoring new regulations could result in:

• Website blocking or de-listing
• Legal liability or regulatory enforcement
• Loss of user trust and brand reputation

How 18Verified Supports Global Compliance

At 18Verified, we provide an all-in-one age verification platform designed for international compliance. Our solution supports:

• Photo ID and facial recognition verification
• Credit card authentication
• Email-based and mobile age estimation
• Open banking identity validation
• Plug-and-play or API integration for any website or app

We stay ahead of the law so you don’t have to, offering real-time updates on new regulations and built-in compliance tools for every region.

Conclusion: The Future of Online Safety Is Global

The age verification movement is no longer regional—it’s global. Countries across Asia, Oceania, South America, and Africa are moving rapidly to enact age assurance mandates that will redefine how platforms handle age-restricted access.

Whether you’re a porn site, gambling platform, vape retailer, or escort directory, staying ahead of age verification regulations is no longer optional. With 18Verified, you can verify once, integrate easily, and stay compliant—anywhere in the world.

Stay compliant. Protect your users. Choose 18Verified for global age verification compliance.

Australia’s New Age Verification Laws: What You Need to Know

Australia is tightening its online safety regulations with a major push toward mandatory age verification for websites that offer or promote age-restricted content. Under the evolving framework of the Online Safety Act, platforms will soon be legally required to implement robust age assurance measures to prevent minors from accessing harmful digital content.

What’s Changing Under the Online Safety Act?

The eSafety Commissioner is spearheading Australia’s efforts to ensure safer online environments for children and young people. New industry codes will require companies to adopt high-assurance age verification systems for platforms that host or link to:

• Pornographic and adult content
• Online gambling and betting platforms
• Vape and tobacco product sales
• CBD and cannabis retailers
• Escort services and adult dating sites

The goal is to reduce youth exposure to explicit material, graphic violence, and harmful or illegal content.

Industries Affected by Australia’s Age Verification Laws

The new regulations will affect a broad range of businesses operating online, both within Australia and globally. Key industries include:

• Adult websites offering sexually explicit videos, images, or livestreams
• Escort directories and adult advertising platforms
• Vape retailers selling e-cigarettes and nicotine products
• Online gambling sites, including sports betting and casino games
• CBD sellers and other age-restricted wellness products

Whether you operate locally or internationally, if your website is accessible by Australian users, these laws will apply to you.

What Is Required to Comply?

Australia’s new codes require platforms to implement technically accurate, reliable, and privacy-preserving age verification solutions. Accepted age assurance methods may include:

• Credit card verification (over 18 requirement in Australia)
• Facial age estimation using AI technology
• Photo ID checks combined with selfie matching
• Mobile network operator (MNO) age validation
• Email-based age estimation (based on digital footprint)

Self-declaration (e.g., “I am over 18” checkboxes) will no longer be accepted.

Timeline for Implementation

The Australian government is taking a phased approach:

• 2024: Consultation and code development by the eSafety Commissioner
• 2025: Mandatory enforcement begins, with penalties for non-compliance

Once in effect, platforms will face serious consequences for ignoring age verification obligations, including:

• Large fines (up to AUD $555,000 per violation)
• Removal or blocking of content
• Public naming and shaming of non-compliant companies

How 18Verified Keeps You Compliant in Australia

18Verified offers a scalable, user-friendly solution that helps businesses comply with Australia’s new age verification laws. We support a wide range of highly effective age assurance methods, including:

• Photo ID and facial recognition verification
• Credit card authentication
• Mobile network age checks
• Email-based age estimation
• API and plug-and-play integration for rapid deployment

Our technology is privacy-first, GDPR-aligned, and built to meet the standards outlined by Australia’s eSafety framework.

Final Thoughts

Australia is joining the global movement toward stricter online safety laws, and the message is clear: websites offering adult content, vaping, gambling, and other age-restricted services must verify the age of their users. The era of self-declared ages is over.

With enforcement beginning in 2025, now is the time to act. 18Verified gives your business the tools it needs to stay compliant, protect users, and build trust across international markets.

Protect your business. Verify users. Stay compliant with 18Verified.

Understanding Age Verification Laws in Canada: What Businesses Need to Know

Canada is on the brink of passing some of the most comprehensive age verification laws in North America. With growing concern over children accessing harmful content online, the Canadian government is advancing legislation like Bill S-210, which would require websites offering pornographic material, vaping products, gambling services, and other age-restricted content to implement robust age verification systems.

What Is Bill S-210?

Bill S-210, also known as the Protecting Young Persons from Exposure to Pornography Act, proposes that any website accessible in Canada which makes sexually explicit content available must take reasonable steps to verify that users are at least 18 years old. This includes Canadian and foreign-based websites that serve Canadian users.

This bill places clear responsibilities on both platforms and internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to non-compliant websites. If passed, it would mark a major shift in online safety regulation in Canada and bring the country in line with evolving international age verification standards.

Industries Affected by Age Verification Legislation

The proposed Canadian age verification laws will impact a wide range of industries, including:

• Adult entertainment websites and platforms hosting 18+ content
• Escort directories and adult dating websites
• Vape retailers and e-cigarette vendors
• Online gambling and casino websites
• CBD and cannabis retailers
• Social media platforms promoting or linking to age-restricted material

If your business operates in one of these industries or targets users in Canada, you must be prepared to integrate high-assurance age verification technology to remain compliant.

What Is Required for Age Verification Compliance?

The law will likely require businesses to use privacy-preserving and technically accurate age verification methods, such as:

• Photo ID matching with facial verification
• Credit card age authentication
• Mobile network age checks
• Email-based age estimation
• Open banking and digital ID verification

Crucially, self-declared ages or simple “yes/no” consent forms will no longer meet legal standards.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Although full enforcement frameworks are still being defined, businesses that fail to comply with age verification requirements under Bill S-210 could face:

• Fines or administrative penalties
• ISP-level blocking of their websites in Canada
• Legal action from regulatory authorities or consumer protection agencies

How 18Verified Helps Businesses in Canada Stay Compliant

At 18Verified, we provide a complete, privacy-first age verification platform tailored for businesses operating in Canada. Whether you’re running a porn site, vape shop, escort directory, or gambling platform, we help you meet compliance obligations without sacrificing user experience.

Our technology includes:

• Secure credit card verification
• Photo ID + selfie matching
• Mobile carrier AV checks
• Email-based age estimation (GDPR and PIPEDA compliant)
• Fast API and plug-and-play integration

We ensure your business is ready to meet Canada’s age verification laws with scalable, user-friendly solutions.

Final Thoughts

As Canada prepares to implement national age verification legislation, businesses handling adult or age-restricted content must act now to future-proof their compliance strategies. With platforms like Pornhub already facing global scrutiny and Canada following in the footsteps of countries like France, Germany, and the UK, robust age verification is becoming the global standard.

18Verified provides the tools you need to protect your business, safeguard your users, and stay compliant with evolving Canadian laws.

Get compliant, stay secure, and lead with trust—choose 18Verified for Canada.

The EU’s New Age Verification Laws: What Online Platforms Need to Know

Across the European Union, governments are implementing strict new age verification laws aimed at protecting minors from accessing online pornography and other age-restricted content. Under the broader umbrella of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and national legislation, EU member states are now requiring adult websites and digital platforms to use high-assurance age verification methods that respect user privacy while ensuring legal compliance.

France Leads with Strict Enforcement

France has become a frontrunner in enforcing age verification for pornographic websites. As of 2025, access to major adult platforms like Pornhub, YouPorn, and RedTube is effectively blocked for failing to implement government-approved age assurance systems. French law now requires verified ID checks or third-party age verification that meets strict privacy and data protection standards.

The French regulator, ARCOM, mandates that users must prove they are over 18 using tools such as photo ID verification, facial age estimation, or bank-based identity checks. Importantly, platforms must avoid intrusive tracking and cannot store sensitive personal data.

EU-Wide Adoption Under the DSA

The Digital Services Act requires large platforms and adult sites operating in Europe to deploy mechanisms that prevent minors from accessing illegal or harmful content. As part of the EU’s coordinated rollout, pilot programs are underway in France, Italy, Greece, Denmark, and Spain, focusing on a standardized age verification app that supports privacy-first access.

This upcoming EU digital identity wallet will allow users to verify their age across all compliant platforms without sharing unnecessary personal data. The goal is to balance compliance, child protection, and user anonymity.

Country-Specific Rules to Know

• France: Government-approved age checks; porn platforms blocked for non-compliance.
• Germany: Requires digital ID or certified AV providers; self-declaration is not permitted.
• Italy: AV via SPID (Italian digital identity system); ID-based or bank-linked checks enforced.
• Spain: Joining the EU digital identity program; regional regulations may follow.
• Netherlands: Tightening controls on adult content sites; age assurance policy in development.

Each country is focused on preventing underage users from accessing adult, gambling, vape, and dating platforms. Penalties for non-compliance may include fines, site access bans, or criminal enforcement.

What This Means for Businesses

If you operate a website in the EU that features or links to 18+ content, or sells vapes, CBD, gambling, or escort services, you are now expected to comply with these new age verification rules.

Businesses must adopt highly effective age verification technology, such as:

• Credit card verification
• Facial age estimation
• Government-issued ID checks
• Mobile network age validation
• Open banking identity verification

Failing to implement compliant AV systems can lead to fines, legal action, and blocked access within the EU.

18Verified: Your EU Compliance Solution

At 18Verified, we provide a scalable, GDPR-compliant age verification platform that supports businesses across Europe. Our privacy-first, user-friendly technology is designed to meet the legal requirements in all EU member states.

We support:

• Photo ID matching with facial analysis
• Real-time credit card AV
• Email-based age estimation
• Mobile carrier age checks
• Fast API and plug-and-play integration

With 18Verified, your business can achieve EU age verification compliance without compromising on user experience, privacy, or conversion rates.

Final Thoughts

The EU’s age verification laws are reshaping the digital compliance landscape for adult websites and age-restricted services. With countries like France, Germany, and Italy leading the charge, online platforms must act now to avoid enforcement and maintain user access.

18Verified helps you stay ahead of legislation, ensuring your site is legally protected and your users are verified safely, securely, and anonymously.

Stay compliant. Protect your users. Partner with 18Verified.

Age verification laws in the United States are rapidly evolving. Driven by concerns over online safety, youth exposure to adult content, and access to harmful products, a growing number of U.S. states are implementing strict digital age verification requirements. These regulations now affect a wide range of industries, including adult entertainment, vaping, online gambling, CBD, and escort directories.

The Legal Landscape of Age Verification in the U.S.

Unlike the UK or EU, the U.S. does not have a single federal age verification law. Instead, individual states are introducing their own legislation requiring websites that host or promote age-restricted content to block access to minors using robust age assurance methods.

As of 2025, over 19 states have passed or proposed laws mandating high-assurance age checks for online platforms. These laws generally apply to websites that:

• Publish or host sexually explicit material
• Sell vapes, tobacco, or CBD products
• Offer online betting, lotteries, or casino-style games
• Operate as escort directories, dating sites, or cam platforms

State-by-State Overview

Here’s a snapshot of key states with active or upcoming age verification laws:

• Texas: Enforces mandatory ID or third-party age verification for pornographic content.
• Louisiana: Requires government-issued ID verification or a third-party certified AV provider.
• Utah, Virginia, Arkansas: Demand platforms hosting 18+ content implement age verification technology.
• Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee, Montana, Kansas: Enforcing or proposing strict AV laws.
• California and New York: Exploring broader privacy-compliant AV regulations for digital platforms.

How 18Verified Keeps Your Website Compliant

18Verified provides a turnkey, nationwide age verification solution that helps online businesses meet varying state-level compliance requirements, without sacrificing user experience or privacy.

Our platform uses high-impact, Ofcom-aligned age verification methods, including:

• Credit card verification
• Photo ID + facial match authentication
• Mobile network age checks
• Email-based age estimation
• Digital ID and open banking (coming soon)

Each method is fast, secure, and tailored to meet the highest legal standards in the U.S. while respecting user anonymity. No intrusive data harvesting. No tracking. No pay-per-verification model.

With 18Verified, your users only verify once and get instant access to all connected sites, making it a cost-effective, privacy-first, and fully compliant solution for the American market.

Conclusion: Stay Compliant, Stay Online

The enforcement of state-level age verification laws in America marks a turning point for online businesses. Failure to comply can result in legal penalties, lost revenue, and blocked access. As laws tighten, especially around pornographic, vape, gambling, and escort websites, the need for a trusted verification partner is more urgent than ever.

18Verified helps your business navigate this complex legal terrain with confidence. Our one-time verification, cross-site access, and subscription-based model give you everything you need to stay legal and grow across all 50 states.

Protect your users. Stay compliant. Grow your business with 18Verified – Get Started Today.

Complying with the UK Online Safety Act: What Every Website Owner Needs to Know

The Online Safety Act is a groundbreaking UK law designed to make the internet safer for both children and adults. Effective from December 16, 2024, this legislation mandates that platforms implement robust systems to prevent underage access, eliminate illegal content, and ensure user safety across the digital ecosystem.

Why the Online Safety Act Matters

The law imposes strict duties on social media platforms, search engines, and user-generated content websites to identify risks, restrict harmful content, and provide age-appropriate experiences. For website owners in industries like adult entertainment, vaping, gambling, CBD, and online dating and escort services, this means mandatory age verification is now a legal requirement.

Who Enforces It?

Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, is tasked with enforcing the Act. It has issued detailed codes of practice outlining how businesses must comply. Ofcom’s powers include fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue, criminal action against non-compliant executives, and the ability to block UK access to offending platforms.

Key Compliance Milestones

• Illegal Content: Platforms must detect and remove content related to child sexual abuse, terrorism, fraud, people smuggling, illegal drugs, and more.
• Children’s Safety: Age-inappropriate content such as pornography, self-harm material, and graphic violence must be restricted using highly effective age assurance methods.
• Risk Assessments: Platforms must assess if their content is accessible to children and conduct detailed risk assessments.

What Is Considered “Highly Effective” Age Assurance?

Ofcom outlines four criteria: technically accurate, robust, reliable, and fair. Accepted methods include:

• Credit Card Verification
• Photo ID Matching
• Facial Age Estimation
• Mobile Network Age Checks
• Email-Based Age Estimation (recognised by Ofcom as effective)
• Open Banking and Digital Identity Checks

Note: Self-declaration and non-age-restricted payment methods do not meet the standard.

Platforms in Scope

• Social media and messaging apps
• Video-sharing platforms
• Cloud storage and file-sharing services
• Online forums and games
• Pornographic websites and adult directories
• Overseas websites with UK traffic or targeting UK users

Timeline of Enforcement

• March 2025: Illegal content enforcement began; risk assessments due
• April 2025: Children’s access assessments due
• Summer 2025: Full child safety regime goes live

Penalties for Non-Compliance

• Fines up to £18 million or 10% of global turnover
• Executive liability for criminal charges
• Access restrictions and payment processing blocks

How 18Verified Helps You Stay Compliant

At 18Verified, we offer highly effective, privacy-focused age verification solutions designed to meet and exceed the standards outlined in the Online Safety Act.

Our services include:

• AI photo ID age checks
• Credit Card Verification
• Facial recognition – coming soon

We help protect your users and your business while keeping the process fast, frictionless, and fully compliant.

Final Thoughts

The Online Safety Act is reshaping the digital landscape. As a website owner, failing to comply is no longer an option. With 18Verified, you get a trusted partner in compliance, offering cost-effective and user-friendly age verification backed by technology that meets Ofcom’s highest standards.

Get in touch with 18Verified today to ensure your business is ready for enforcement.