UK Regulator Hits Adult Site With £800,000 Fine as Online Safety Act Age Checks Take Effect

Key Takeaways

• £800,000 Penalty for Age Check Failures: Ofcom fined Kick Online Entertainment £800,000 for failing to implement legally required age assurance measures between 25 July and 29 December 2025.
• Additional Sanction for Non-Cooperation: The company was separately fined £30,000 for failing to comply with legally binding information requests, with a potential daily penalty of £200 for up to 60 days.
• Age Assurance Is a Legal Duty: Under the UK Online Safety Act, adult sites must use “highly effective” age checks to prevent children from accessing pornographic content.
• Broader Enforcement Underway: Ofcom has issued provisional non-compliance findings against Youngtek Solutions, 4chan and Im.ge, and expanded investigations into four other porn companies operating 20 adult sites.

Deep Dive

Ofcom has fined Kick Online Entertainment £800,000 after finding the company failed to put in place age checks to stop children from accessing pornographic content, in breach of duties under the Online Safety Act.

The law requires sites that allow pornographic material to use “highly effective” age assurance measures so children cannot readily access that content. The obligation came into force in July 2025. Within days, Ofcom launched investigations into dozens of adult sites, including Kick Online Entertainment SA, selected on the basis of user numbers.

Following its investigation, the regulator concluded that the company failed to comply with the age check requirements between 25 July and 29 December 2025. In response to enforcement action, the company has since implemented a method of age assurance that Ofcom says is capable of being highly effective.

A Separate Breach for Failing to Engage

The regulator did not stop at the age assurance failure.

Ofcom also imposed an additional fine of £30,000 for the company’s failure to comply with legally binding information requests. Regulators rely on accurate, complete and timely responses to assess whether platforms are meeting their safety duties. Under the Act, companies are required by law to provide that information.

Ofcom said it will impose a daily penalty of £200 until the company responds, or for a period of 60 days, whichever is sooner.

Suzanne Cater, Director of Enforcement at Ofcom, made clear the regulator’s position. “Having highly effective age checks on adult sites to protect children from pornographic content is non-negotiable,” she said, adding that any company that fails to meet this duty or engage with the regulator should expect robust enforcement action, including significant fines.

She also confirmed that other investigations under the UK’s age check rules are ongoing, with further action to follow where necessary.

The case forms part of a wider enforcement push. Ofcom said it has issued provisional decisions finding that Youngtek Solutions, 4chan and Im.ge have failed to comply with duties under the Online Safety Act. All three providers now have the opportunity to make representations before final decisions are taken.

In addition, the regulator has expanded the scope of ongoing investigations into four other porn companies, which collectively operate 20 adult sites, to consider whether they have adequately responded to legally binding information requests.

Escalation Remains on the Table

Ofcom also reiterated that if a provider fails to pay a fine, it can seek recovery through the courts. Where a company fails to implement required age assurance, the regulator may apply for “business disruption measures,” including court orders requiring payment providers or advertisers to withdraw services, or requiring internet service providers to block a site in the UK.

Age checks are no longer a policy aspiration or industry talking point. Under the Online Safety Act, they are an enforceable legal duty, and Ofcom has signaled it is prepared to act where companies fall short.

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