The company operating a website that used artificial intelligence to create nude images of people has been fined £50,000 by the UK's communications regulator for failing to implement vital age checks.
Ofcom's Crackdown on Online Safety
Internet watchdog Ofcom imposed the financial penalty on Itai Tech Ltd, the firm behind the site Undress.cc. This platform utilised AI deepfake technology to manipulate real images and make the subjects appear unclothed. The fine was issued specifically for the company's failure to use effective age verification, a legal requirement designed to shield children from harmful content.
This enforcement action represents a significant step under the Online Safety Act. The regulator noted that the £50,000 penalty reflected Itai Tech's move to make the site inaccessible to UK users shortly after the investigation was launched. A further £5,000 penalty was levied for the company's failure to comply with a statutory information request from Ofcom.
Wider Probes into Pornography Sites
This is not an isolated case. Ofcom has simultaneously launched new investigations into five separate companies that operate a total of 20 pornography websites. The probe will examine whether these sites are complying with their legal duties to implement robust age checks on their pornographic content.
The companies now under investigation are:
- Sun Social Media Inc
- The provider of various xxbrits sites
- The provider of a number of porntrex sites
- The provider of fapello.com
- The provider of hqporner.com
This marks the second fine Ofcom has issued related to the Online Safety Act, following a £20,000 fine imposed on the online forum 4Chan earlier this month.
A 'Non-Negotiable' Duty to Protect Children
Suzanne Cater, Ofcom's Director of Enforcement, issued a stern warning to the industry. She stated, “The use of highly effective age assurance to protect children from harmful pornographic content is non-negotiable and we will accept no excuses for failure.”
She further emphasised that “Any service which fails to meet their age-check duties under the online safety act can expect to face robust enforcement action, including significant fines.” The message from the regulator is clear: any website offering pornographic material to UK users must verify that their users are over 18 or face severe financial consequences.
