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Month: July 2025

EU veröffentlicht Entwurf für Leitlinien zum Schutz von Kindern im Internet im Rahmen des Gesetzes über digitale Dienste

Verfasst am von admin@18verifiziert

Am 13. Mai 2025 veröffentlichte die Europäische Kommission (EK ) ihren lang erwarteten Entwurf für Leitlinien zum Schutz von Minderjährigen im Internet gemäß Artikel 28 des Gesetzes über digitale Dienste (DSA). Dies ist ein entscheidender Moment in der Entwicklung der Alterssicherung, der klare Erwartungen daran stellt, wie digitale Plattformen die Risiken für Kinder bewerten und mindern müssen.

Diese Leitlinien unterstreichen nicht nur die Bedeutung einer altersgerechten Gestaltung, sondern verdeutlichen auch die wesentliche Rolle moderner Instrumente zur Altersüberprüfung und -einschätzung bei der Schaffung sicherer Online-Räume.

Wir von 18Verified erläutern, was die neuen EU-Richtlinien bedeuten, was Ihre Plattform tun muss, um sie einzuhalten, und wie Sie dem Gesetz einen Schritt voraus sein und gleichzeitig Ihre jüngsten Nutzer schützen können.

Was ist das Gesetz über digitale Dienste (DSA)?

Die Verordnung über digitale Dienste ist eine bahnbrechende EU-Verordnung, die 2024 in Kraft tritt. Sie gilt für alle wichtigen Online-Dienste, die in der Europäischen Union betrieben werden, darunter:

  • Plattformen für soziale Medien
  • Online-Marktplätze
  • Websites mit nutzergenerierten Inhalten
  • Hosting-Dienste und Suchmaschinen

Das Hauptziel der DSA ist es, das Internet sicherer und transparenter zu machen - vor allem für gefährdete Gruppen wie Kinder und Jugendliche. Gemäß Artikel 28 müssen Plattformen proaktive Maßnahmen ergreifen, um Minderjährige vor schädlichen Inhalten, ausbeuterischer Werbung und Online-Grooming zu schützen.

Die wichtigsten Punkte aus den Leitlinien der Europäischen Kommission

In dem von der Europäischen Kommission im Mai 2025 veröffentlichten Leitlinienentwurf wird dargelegt, wie Artikel 28 auszulegen und durchzusetzen ist. Hier sind die wichtigsten Erkenntnisse:

🔍 1. Risikobasierter Ansatz

Plattformen müssen potenzielle Risiken, die ihre Dienste für Minderjährige darstellen, identifizieren und bewerten - einschließlich der Exposition gegenüber Inhalten, Interaktionen mit Erwachsenen und algorithmischer Einflussnahme. Je nach Höhe des Risikos müssen geeignete Schutzmaßnahmen ergriffen werden.

🎯 2. Altersgerechtes Design

Plattformen müssen Inhalte, Funktionen und Werbung auf die Altersgruppe der Nutzer abstimmen. Dies steht in engem Einklang mit dem britischen Code für altersgerechte Gestaltung (AADC) und unterstreicht die Bedeutung der Schaffung von kindersicheren digitalen Erlebnissen durch Design.

🔐 3. Altersabsicherung als Rechtsnorm

Die Kommission bestätigt, dass die Überprüfung und Schätzung des Alters für die Einhaltung der Verpflichtungen von entscheidender Bedeutung ist. Von den Plattformen wird erwartet, dass sie Lösungen implementieren, die:

  • Präzise und verhältnismäßig
  • Schutz der Privatsphäre und GDPR-konform
  • Fit für unterschiedliche Risikoniveaus

Beispiele hierfür sind:

  • Staatliche ID-Kontrollen
  • Kreditauskunftsdaten oder SIM-basierte Prüfungen
  • KI-gestützte Altersschätzung im Gesicht
  • Analyse der Metadaten von E-Mails und Mobiltelefonen

📢 4. Transparenz, Kontrollen und Berichterstattung

Die Plattformen müssen bieten:

  • Klare Instrumente zur Meldung von Missbrauch
  • Kindersicherung (falls zutreffend)
  • Transparente Moderation und algorithmische Prozesse

Warum dies jetzt wichtig ist

Die Veröffentlichung dieses Leitlinienentwurfs signalisiert, dass die Einhaltung der Vorschriften nicht mehr optional ist, sonderneine Voraussetzung für die Geschäftstätigkeit im digitalen Ökosystem der EU.

Zu den Risiken der Untätigkeit gehören:

  • Geldbußen von bis zu 6 % des weltweiten Jahresumsatzes
  • Plattformabschaltungen oder Diensteinschränkungen
  • Rufschädigung bei Nutzern, Investoren und Aufsichtsbehörden

Die Botschaft ist klar: Der Schutz von Kindern im Internet muss eine Priorität der Plattform sein.

Wie 18Verified Plattformen bei der Einhaltung der DSA-Vorschriften hilft

18Verified bietet eine hochmoderne, auf Datenschutz ausgerichtete Alterssicherungstechnologie, die die Einhaltung von DSA unterstützt, ohne die Benutzerfreundlichkeit zu beeinträchtigen.

Unsere Lösungen umfassen:

  • ✅ Altersüberprüfung anhand eines amtlichen Ausweises, Bonitätsprüfung, Überprüfung der Handynummer und Zahlungsmethode
  • ✅ KI-gestützte Altersbestimmung im Gesicht - reibungslos und anonym
  • E-Mail- und Metadaten-basierte Schätzung - leicht und genau
  • ✅ GDPR-konform ohne unnötige Datenspeicherung
  • ✅ Zertifiziert nach PAS 1296:2018
  • ✅ Einfache Integration über API oder Plug-and-Play-Optionen
  • ✅ Erschwingliches Abonnementmodell - keine Bezahlung pro Scheck

Ganz gleich, ob es sich um eine Videoplattform, eine Website mit nicht jugendfreien Inhalten, ein soziales Netzwerk oder eine Online-Community handelt - wir helfen Ihnen, die Vorschriften einzuhalten und Ihre besonders gefährdeten Nutzer zu schützen.

Bereiten Sie sich vor, bevor es zu spät ist

Die EU setzt den weltweiten Standard für die Sicherheit von Kindern im Internet, und das Gesetz über digitale Dienste wird streng durchgesetzt. Plattformen, die nicht handeln, riskieren schwere Strafen - ganz zu schweigen von dem Schaden, der echten Nutzern entsteht.

Warten Sie nicht, bis die Durchsetzung beginnt. Bauen Sie jetzt Sicherheit und Vertrauen in Ihre Plattform ein.

👉 Erfahren Sie, wie 18Verified die Einhaltung von EU- und UK-Vorschriften unterstützt
👉 Sprechen Sie noch heute mit unserem Team

Tags: Digital Services Act, Artikel 28 DSA, EU-Kindersicherheit, Online-Kinderschutz, Europäische Kommission, Altersverifikation, Alterssicherungstools, GDPR-Konformität, PAS 1296, KI-Gesichtsschätzung, 18Verified, Online-Plattform-Konformität, Schutz von Minderjährigen online, EU-Verordnung 2025, digitale Risikobewertung

Was ist Sextortion? Der alarmierende Anstieg der sexuellen Online-Erpressung - und wie die Altersverifikation helfen kann

Verfasst am von admin@18verifiziert

Sextortion is a growing form of online blackmail where criminals use intimate images, videos, or personal information to extort victims. Defined by the Metropolitan Police as “financially motivated sexual extortion,” sextortion often begins with seemingly innocent online interactions—but can quickly escalate into devastating emotional and financial abuse.

In this guide, we explore what sextortion is, how it happens, why cases are rising—especially among boys—and how age verification and digital safeguards can help prevent these crimes.

How Sextortion Happens: A Common Scenario

A typical sextortion case might start with a teenage boy chatting online with someone he believes to be a girl. After exchanging messages, he’s convinced to share intimate photos or participate in a live video chat.

But the person on the other end isn’t a genuine romantic interest—it’s a criminal or organised group. These groups may:

  • Use trafficked individuals to commit the fraud
  • Impersonate others through catfishing (using fake online identities)
  • Employ AI-generated deepfake content to build false trust

Once the victim shares compromising material, the blackmail begins. Criminals may demand:

  • More explicit content
  • Payments via Bitcoin, gift cards, or other untraceable methods
  • Threats to share the content with family, friends, or social media followers

In many cases, the child’s school or welfare officer is only alerted when victims reach out to helplines like Childline, triggering safeguarding protocols.

The Rise in Sextortion Cases

Global authorities and charities are raising red flags about the sharp rise in sextortion, especially among boys aged 14–18.

  • In 2023, the US National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) received 26,718 sextortion reports—a 149% increase from the previous year.
  • In the UK, the Internet Watch Foundation found that 91% of sextortion victims in 2023 were male.
  • Reports of confirmed child sexual abuse involving sextortion increased 257% in the first half of 2023 compared to all of 2022.

These statistics highlight the urgent need for preventative action.

How to Prevent Sextortion: Education & Age Assurance

Step 1: Awareness and Education

Building awareness is the first step. Parents, schools, and digital platforms must:

  • Educate users—especially teens—on online grooming tactics
  • Encourage safe online behavior and open communication
  • Provide confidence to seek help if something goes wrong

But awareness alone is not enough. Many victims knew the risks—but still fell victim. That’s where platforms come in.

Step 2: Age Assurance on Online Platforms

To protect users—particularly minors—online platforms must verify user age before allowing access or interaction with others.

✔️ Age Verification

Age can be confirmed using official data sources like:

  • Government-issued ID
  • Credit reference bureaus
  • Mobile phone numbers
  • Credit/debit cards

✔️ Age Estimation

Where privacy is a higher priority, platforms can estimate age using:

  • Facial age estimation (AI-driven)
  • Email-based age signals

These methods offer privacy-preserving solutions that do not store personal data, but still deliver high accuracy.

Depending on the platform’s risk level, some services may need full ID confirmation—particularly for dating sites or chat services that allow older teens.

18Verified Helps Prevent Sextortion

At 18Verified, we provide advanced age verification and age estimation technology to help platforms meet regulatory standards and protect users from grooming and sextortion threats.

Our system is:

  • ✅ Easy to integrate
  • ✅ Fully privacy-compliant
  • ✅ Cost-effective with a subscription model
  • ✅ Certified to PAS 1296:2018 standards

Whether you need basic age checks or full identity verification, we have a solution to suit your platform.

Protect Your Platform — Protect Your Users

Sextortion is a serious and growing threat. By implementing strong age assurance, your business can:

  • Prevent grooming and abuse
  • Protect your reputation
  • Comply with the Online Safety Bill and other international regulations
  • Create a safer internet for all

👉 Talk to our team today to see how 18Verified can help your platform implement effective safeguards.

Need Help With Sextortion?

If you or someone you know is being threatened online, get help immediately:

UK:

USA:

Australia:

Tags: sextortion, age verification, child protection online, digital safety, grooming prevention, AI sextortion, catfishing, age estimation, 18Verified, Online Safety Bill, PAS 1296

Was ist das Gesetz zur Online-Sicherheit? Eine vollständige Aufschlüsselung für britische Unternehmen

Verfasst am von admin@18verifiziert

The Online Safety Bill is a landmark piece of UK legislation designed to make the internet safer for everyone—especially children. First published as a draft on 12 May 2021, it follows the Government’s Online Harms White Paper and introduces a comprehensive regulatory framework that compels UK tech companies to take responsibility for the content on their platforms.

In this blog, we’ll explain how the bill affects online businesses, why age verification is essential for compliance, and what your company can do now to prepare.

The Origin: Online Harms White Paper

The Online Safety Bill stems from growing public concern over illegal content, cyberbullying, and child exploitation online. The UK Government responded with the Online Harms White Paper, which marked the beginning of a bold plan to “make Britain the safest place in the world to be online.”

With the increasing accessibility of the internet and the rise of user-generated content, it became clear that existing regulations weren’t enough. The Online Harms Bill was the first step toward systemic change.

Who Will Be Affected by the Online Safety Bill?

The bill primarily impacts businesses that:

  • Allow user-to-user interactions
  • Host user-generated content
  • Provide search engine services

This includes social media platforms, video-sharing websites, dating apps, forums, and any online service where users can upload or share content. If your business operates in these sectors, you’ll be legally required to assess the risks posed to children and introduce safety features, such as age verification technology.

What Are the New “Safety Duties”?

The Online Safety Bill introduces strict new “safety duties” for tech companies. These include:

  • Removing illegal content quickly and effectively
  • Preventing the spread of harmful material
  • Assessing whether children are likely to access the service
  • Implementing robust age verification software to protect minors

Failure to do so could result in severe regulatory penalties.

When Will the Online Safety Bill Become Law?

While there’s no fixed date, the Online Safety Bill has strong backing from Government and was featured in the Queen’s Speech—highlighting its national importance.

The next stages include:

  1. Pre-legislative scrutiny by a joint committee from the House of Commons and House of Lords
  2. Formal introduction to Parliament (expected after summer 2021)
  3. Full legislative review, which may take several years

However, with strong public and political momentum, UK businesses are urged to prepare now rather than wait.

‘Safety by Design’ and Government Guidance

On 29 June, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) released new guidance to help businesses create safer digital environments. The emphasis is on:

  • Data privacy and child protection
  • Minimising risk on live streaming and user-generated content platforms
  • Encouraging “safety by design” practices in product development

This aligns with the upcoming Age Appropriate Design Code (AADC), another major shift in digital regulation.

What Is the Age Appropriate Design Code (AADC)?

The AADC comes into force on 2 September and sets out 15 data protection standards for online services likely to be accessed by children in the UK.

Key elements include:

  • Recognising the age of individual users
  • Tailoring content and data practices to their age group
  • Using age verification tools to prevent access to inappropriate services

The AADC is a direct result of the EU Audio-Visual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) and places strong emphasis on user privacy and platform accountability.

What Are the Risks of Non-Compliance?

The draft version of the Online Safety Bill gives Ofcom—the UK’s media and communications regulator—the power to:

  • Fine companies up to £18 million or 10% of global turnover (whichever is higher)
  • Pursue criminal penalties against senior managers and executives for persistent non-compliance

This is one of the most significant regulatory changes to hit the UK’s digital sector and will affect businesses of all sizes.

Online Safety Is Now a Legal Responsibility

Online safety is no longer just an ethical consideration—it’s a legal requirement. Both the Online Safety Bill and AADC aim to create a secure digital space for users of all ages, especially children. Businesses must now build in safety features from the ground up and demonstrate that they are protecting their users in meaningful ways.

How 18Verified Helps Your Business Stay Compliant

At 18Verified, we make age verification simple, secure, and cost-effective. Our technology ensures you comply with UK regulations while delivering a seamless experience to your users.

  • ✅ Frictionless user journey
  • ✅ Certified to PAS 1296:2018 standards
  • ✅ API or plug-and-play options
  • ✅ Affordable subscription model
  • ✅ One login across all participating 18+ sites

Whether you’re a content creator platform, ecommerce business, or adult service provider, 18Verified helps you stay ahead of the curve and avoid costly mistakes.

Take Action Today

Want to avoid fines, protect your users, and meet all upcoming legal requirements?

👉 Learn more about 18Verified
👉 Speak to our team

Tags: Online Safety Bill, UK internet law, age verification software, AADC, digital safety, child protection, PAS 1296, 18Verified, regulatory compliance, Online Harms Bill

Wie die schwache Altersüberprüfung bei OnlyFans minderjährige Inhalte aufdeckte - und warum sich das Internet verändert

Verfasst am von admin@18verifiziert

A recent BBC investigation has uncovered serious flaws in the age verification system used by OnlyFans, revealing how underage users were able to upload and sell explicit content on the platform. This disturbing revelation highlights a growing issue: many online platforms still lack effective age verification safeguards.

As the UK prepares to enforce the Online Safety Bill, age verification will no longer be optional—it will be a legal requirement. In this article, we explore how stronger verification systems like 18Verified will shape the future of digital safety and protect young people from harmful content.

The Rise of OnlyFans — and Its Verification Failures

OnlyFans became a major player in the online content world during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among adult content creators and sex workers. The Essex-based platform lets creators earn money through paid subscriptions, offering exclusive content to fans.

However, its age verification methods have come under scrutiny. Several reports revealed that underage users—as young as 13—were able to bypass checks by using older relatives’ IDs. In one case, a 14-year-old girl used her grandmother’s passport and bank details to create an account, exploiting weak photo comparison technology.

This failure has not only harmed vulnerable users but has also drawn regulatory attention to platforms that fail to implement robust identity checks.

Why Age Verification Must Evolve

OnlyFans currently requires new users to upload a selfie holding a photo ID. But this manual method is easily exploited, especially when there’s no real-time, AI-driven validation or third-party database cross-check.

That’s where modern age verification technology comes in — using AI-powered facial estimation, ID matching, government database integration, and even mobile phone checks to provide frictionless and secure compliance.

The Online Safety Bill: A New Era of Compliance

The UK’s Online Safety Bill, now progressing through Parliament, will require all platforms that host user-generated content to:

  • Assess whether children are likely to access their site
  • Implement strong age verification measures
  • Be accountable to Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator

Under this bill, platforms that fail to comply face fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global turnover, whichever is higher. Criminal sanctions for senior staff are also being considered.

This bill follows the abandoned Digital Economy Act, and now fully repeals its unfinished age verification rules. The new law puts clear pressure on platforms to get it right—or face consequences.

Europe Leads the Way: The AVMSD Directive

The EU Audio-Visual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) sets a high bar. Since 2020, it has required video platforms across Europe to protect minors from harmful content and advertising.

Many member states have already faced penalties for failing to enforce these rules. This shows the seriousness of age verification on a continental scale—and why providers must act now to stay compliant globally.

What Effective Age Verification Looks Like

At 18Verified, we believe in frictionless compliance without compromising user privacy or site performance. Our solution includes:

  • ✅ Government ID checks
  • ✅ AI-powered age estimation
  • ✅ Mobile phone-based verification
  • ✅ Secure database cross-referencing
  • ✅ One-login access for users across all participating sites

Our technology is certified to PAS 1296:2018, the UK’s official code of practice for online age checking.

Unlike pay-per-verification providers, 18Verified offers a low-cost, subscription-based model, saving businesses thousands annually while keeping them compliant and competitive.

Brand Reputation & Legal Risk: Why Businesses Must Act

According to recent industry surveys, 81% of online content providers say brand protection is their top priority when upgrading age verification. With growing risks of public backlash, legal action, and media exposure, no platform can afford to cut corners.

Equally, regulators must enforce the rules fairly—whether you’re a small creator platform or a multi-billion-pound enterprise.

Digital Safeguarding: The Future of Online Responsibility

With younger generations spending more time online, digital safeguarding is no longer optional—it’s essential. Businesses in the adult industry, especially platforms like OnlyFans, must adopt future-proof age verification solutions or risk being left behind.

Ready to Future-Proof Your Platform?

At 18Verified, we make it easy for businesses to meet the requirements of the Online Safety Bill—and beyond.

  • ✅ Affordable subscription model
  • ✅ Plug-and-play or API options
  • ✅ Fully UK-compliant
  • ✅ One login for users across all 18+ websites

👉 Click here to learn more
👉 Speak to our team today