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What Industries Are Affected by the New UK Age Verification Laws – And Why Compliance Is Essential

Posted on by admin@18verified

Starting 25th July 2025, the UK government will enforce strict new age verification regulations aimed at protecting children from harmful online content. These laws require websites offering age-restricted products or services to verify the age of their users before granting access. Failure to comply could result in penalties of up to £18 million or 10% of global turnover.

But what exactly does this mean for your business? Below, we break down the industries most affected and why acting now is crucial.

1. Adult Content Websites

Any platform hosting or linking to sexually explicit content will be directly impacted. This includes pornography websites, erotic blogs, adult forums, and dating platforms with NSFW features. The law mandates that users must prove they are 18 or older before gaining access—cookie popups and disclaimers are no longer enough.

2. Vape & E-Cigarette Retailers

Online vape stores must implement robust age verification systems to prevent underage sales. Whether selling e-liquids, vape pens, or accessories, these businesses are legally required to confirm that customers are over 18 at point of access, not just at checkout.

3. Gambling & Betting Platforms

From sports betting sites to online casinos, gambling platforms have long been regulated—but the new laws go further. Age verification must now occur before any gameplay or deposit takes place, regardless of whether the user eventually places a bet.

4. CBD, Hemp & Cannabis Product Sites

CBD oil, edibles, and hemp products are increasingly popular, but they remain age-restricted in many regions. UK retailers selling these items online must ensure visitors are 18+ before they can browse product pages or make a purchase.

5. Firearm, Knife, and Hunting Equipment Retailers

Websites that sell hunting gear, knives, or firearm-related equipment must verify users’ age prior to access. This includes air rifles, archery supplies, and tactical gear. The regulations apply even if the products are intended for sport or display.

6. Escort & Adult Services Directories

Escort agencies and adult entertainment directories that advertise 18+ services are also required to verify user age. Simply placing a warning on the homepage is no longer acceptable under the new legislation.

Why Is Compliance So Important?

The UK government has made it clear that these new rules are not optional. Sites that fail to comply risk:

  • Being blocked by UK internet service providers
  • Fines up to £18 million or 10% of global turnover
  • Reputational damage and loss of consumer trust

These laws are designed to create a safer internet for everyone, particularly children. Businesses that comply early show leadership and a commitment to online safety.

How 18Verified Can Help

18Verified offers an affordable, privacy-focused age verification solution that keeps you compliant without sacrificing user experience. Our unique model charges the user £2/month for access to all participating sites, saving businesses thousands in pay-per-check fees.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Get compliant now.

👉 Join 18Verified today and protect your business before the deadline hits.

What Is Sextortion? The Alarming Rise of Online Sexual Blackmail — And How Age Verification Can Help

Posted on by admin@18verified

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