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Written question asked by Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party) on Monday, 23 October 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 25 October 2023. It was answered by Paul Scully (Conservative) on Wednesday, 25 October 2023 on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Internet: Safety

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of age verification and estimation technology for meeting requirements in the Online Safety Bill.

Answer

Age verification technologies are well developed and already in use across a range of sectors, including financial services and the online sales of age restricted goods. Age estimation technologies are developing rapidly and there are a growing number of privacy-preserving tools being developed that will ensure that platforms know the age of their users and can provide a safe and age-appropriate experience for children.

Ofcom will set out in its guidance examples of the kinds of age verification and age estimation measures that can be used to meet the duties set out in the Bill – this includes setting out the kinds of technologies that are highly effective in determining whether a particular user is a child for the purpose of protecting children from pornography and other primary priority content that is harmful to children.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
203841
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Internet Safety Technology Age assurance
Legislation
Online Safety Bill 2021-22 to 2022-23
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk