Ofcom has fined Itai Tech Ltd, the operator of the AI-powered nudification website Undress.cc, £50,000 for failing to implement effective age verification measures. The penalty is part of the regulator's enforcement of the Online Safety Act, which requires pornographic services to protect children from harmful content.
The watchdog also imposed an additional £5,000 fine on the company for non-compliance with a statutory information request. Ofcom noted that it took into account Itai's decision to block UK IP addresses from accessing the site shortly after the investigation began.
Undress.cc uses artificial intelligence to create nude images from real photographs. The site is one of several targeted in a broader crackdown by Ofcom, which has launched separate investigations into 20 pornography websites run by five firms, including Sun Social Media Inc, providers of xxbrits and porntrex sites, as well as fapello.com and hqporner.com.
Suzanne Cater, Ofcom's director of enforcement, said: “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. 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.”
This is the second fine issued by Ofcom under the Online Safety Act, following a £20,000 penalty against 4Chan earlier this month.
