Overview

This bill aims to establish minimum standards for age verification systems used by online services and products in the UK. It mandates that Ofcom set these standards and enforces compliance, ensuring user privacy, security, and accessibility while also balancing the need to protect children.

Description

The bill requires all age assurance systems used for online services or products in the UK to meet minimum standards to be set by Ofcom within six months of the Act's passage. These standards must:

• Protect user privacy in accordance with data protection laws.
• Be proportionate to the risks associated with the service or product.
• Offer age-appropriate functionality.
• Be secure and prevent data misuse.
• Provide mechanisms for users to challenge age verification decisions.
• Be accessible to all users, regardless of protected characteristics.
• Not unduly restrict children's access to appropriate services (e.g., news, health, education).
• Provide clear and understandable information about its operation.
• Be effective in verifying age or age range, and not solely rely on user-provided information.
• Comply with relevant data protection legislation, the Age Appropriate Design Code, the Human Rights Act 1998, the Equality Act 2010, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The Secretary of State will grant Ofcom enforcement powers, similar to those held by the Information Commissioner, through regulations requiring parliamentary approval.

The bill defines "child" as anyone under 18, and "age assurance system" as any system verifying or estimating a user's age. It extends to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Section 1 comes into force six months after passage; other provisions take effect immediately.

Government Spending

The bill does not directly specify government spending figures. The cost will likely involve Ofcom's work in developing and enforcing the standards and the related administrative costs for the Secretary of State's office in granting Ofcom enforcement powers.

Groups Affected

This bill impacts various groups:

• Online service providers: They must comply with the new standards for their age verification systems.
• Age verification system providers: They must adapt their systems to meet the new minimum standards.
• Children: The bill aims to protect children's privacy and safety online, while ensuring access to appropriate services.
• Ofcom: They are responsible for setting and enforcing the standards, requiring additional resources.
• Users: They will experience changes in how online services verify their age, with improved privacy and redress mechanisms.

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