Porn age verification plans are being put on hold in the UK once again

It’s still possible that one day in Britain, people may have to prove their age in order to watch pornographic content online.

But that day isn’t going to be anytime soon.

Back in 2017, something called the Digital Economy Bill was given the official go-ahead in the UK. Part of the bill outlined a proposed age verification system for people wanting to access porn websites.

The idea was to make the internet safer, but the bill quickly attracted the concern of privacy campaigners worried about millions of people having to hand over potentially sensitive data.

“It might lead to people being outed,” Jim Killock, executive director for privacy campaign group Open Rights Group, said earlier this year. “It could also be you’re a teacher with an unusual sexual preference and your pupils get to know that as a result of a leak. It won’t get you sacked for viewing something legal but it could destroy your reputation.”

Despite delays and protests, though, as of April this year it looked like the bill would soon become a reality.

Well, not any more.

According to Sky News, the age verification system — which was meant to begin on 15 July — has been “indefinitely delayed.” The reason? The system’s legal basis was apparently undermined by the government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media, & Sport (DCMS) failing to inform the European Commission.

“While it’s very embarrassing to delay age verification for the third time, this is an opportunity for the Government to address the many problems that this ill-thought through policy poses,” said Jim Killock, per a press release sent to Mashable.

“The Government needs to use this delay to introduce legislation that will ensure the privacy and security of online users is protected.”

When Mashable reached out to DCMS for comment, we were informed that Jeremy Wright — DCMS’ Secretary of State — is due to make a statement on age verification today at 12:30 BST.