No uploads. No forms.
No frustration.
A silent, seamless check meets Ofcom’s Online Safety Act requirements.
Being responsible shouldn’t mean losing conversions. Our Age Verify uses real-time Mobile Network Operator data to confirm if a user is over 18 – based solely on their mobile number.
It’s privacy-first, built for scale, and trusted by platforms that want to do the right thing – without compromising the user experience.
What are the Ofcom regulations?
From 25 July 2025, Ofcom will begin enforcing new regulations under the Online Safety Act, requiring all UK-accessible websites displaying pornographic or adult content to implement robust age verification.
This move aims to prevent children from being exposed to harmful material online. Self-declaration, tick boxes, or inadequate filters are no longer sufficient – platforms must prove they’ve taken proportionate, privacy-conscious steps to restrict under-18 access.
Ofcom references standards such as PAS 1296 and the Children’s Code, placing emphasis on data minimisation, accuracy, and user transparency.
Failure to comply may lead to fines, access restrictions, or platform liability. The deadline is fixed – readiness is now essential.
Who's affected by the Ofcom regulations?
The Ofcom age verification regulations affect any platform accessible in the UK that displays pornographic or adult content.
This includes commercial websites, tube sites, fan platforms, subscription-based services, and even social networks or forums where adult material is published or promoted.
Both UK-based and international sites are in scope if their content can be viewed by UK users. Site operators, publishers, and content distributors must all comply.
Third-party hosting adult content without age checks may also be liable. Ofcom will hold platforms accountable for protecting minors – meaning compliance isn’t optional, and enforcement from 25 July will be firm.
And what do I need to know about PAS 1296?
PAS 1296:2018 is the UK’s recognised code of practice for age verification, developed by the British Standards Institution (BSI).
It outlines how organisations should verify age in a way that is proportionate, privacy-first, and reliable.
The standard requires checks to be matched to the level of risk – for adult content, that means high-confidence verification, not self-declaration.
It promotes data minimisation (collect only what’s needed), accuracy (use trusted sources), and transparency (users should understand the process).
PAS 1296 is referenced by Ofcom and aligns with the Children’s Code, making it an essential benchmark for platforms looking to implement compliant, ethical, and effective age assurance methods.
Fast
Age Verify is part of the SAFr platform. The response from operators is super-fast, meaning the minimum of delay while your user onboards or logs in.
Flexible
Age Verify is built for flexibility. Whether you need to check a user’s exact date of birth, confirm they’re over 18, or match them to an age range, we’ve got it covered.Simply pass the mobile number and the age criteria into the API request – we return a straightforward true or false response based on live operator data.No complexity, no noise – just the answer you need, instantly.
Unhackable
Since 1991 the humble SIM card has never been hacked or spoofed. The SIM card is the key to Mobile Identity. The 'I' in SIM stands for Identity, after all. There is no more robust technology than the SIM to identity who someone is.
Inclusive security
Inclusiveness by design - Age Verify maintains the same level of security on IOS, Android or for that matter, any phone - basic handsets, feature phones and smartphones. It's another way we are 'humanising' identity.
Zero user intervention
Age Verify from XConnect does not rely on active user participation. It's zero intervention and almost-instant confirmation of eligibility.
Uses SIM card cryptography
The cryptographic key and the algorithms in the SIM use the SIM as a secure hardware, a layer of security against a would-be bypasser...
One API call
A number of other fraud-prevention signals can be added to Age Verify – all delivered through the same single call to the SAFr API. For example, before running an Age Verify check, you might check that it's a valid number first.
Generative AI-proof
XConnect's Age Verify is not impacted by the Generative AI, which threatens other authentication methods including biometrics. The SIM is immune from generative AI threats.
How does Age Verify work?
Age Verify works with a simple API call. You send us the user’s mobile number and a basic age check requirement – for example, “is this user 18 or over?” or “does their date of birth fall within this range?”
That request is securely routed to the relevant UK mobile operator, who checks their subscriber records in real time.
The response is returned almost instantly as a true/false result – no personal data is exposed, stored or shared.
There’s no need for documents, uploads, or user interaction.
It’s seamless, silent and ready to integrate. One quick call, one clear answer – Age Verify makes compliance easy.
Who uses Age Verify checks?
Age Verify is designed for any platform that needs to restrict access to age-sensitive content or services.
This includes adult content websites, subscription-based fan platforms, streaming services, and social networks hosting explicit material.
It’s also ideal for gambling sites, e-commerce platforms selling age-restricted goods (like alcohol or vapes), and online communities with mature themes.
Regulators now expect robust age checks, and users demand privacy – Age Verify meets both.
Whether you’re a compliance officer, product lead, or platform owner, this solution helps you protect your users, avoid penalties, and maintain a smooth user journey.
It’s fast to deploy, easy to integrate, and works silently in the background – ideal for responsible platforms.
Is age verify only available in the UK?
No – Age Verify isn’t limited to the UK.
While it’s ready for Ofcom’s 25 July regulations, it operates in any country where mobile operators have enabled age verification via their network APIs.
We have direct connections with mobile operators in over 20 countries, covering more than 2.5 billion subscribers, and this footprint is growing fast.
If the local mobile network supports it, Age Verify can be used for compliance, safeguarding, or content restriction worldwide.
Whether you’re a global platform or regional provider, we deliver the same privacy-first, no-fuss age check through our scalable infrastructure – wherever your users are.
It’s truly international, operator-grade age assurance.
How can I try Age Verify?
We can give you a sandbox environment to allow you to try Age Verify out.
Our customer, partner, onboarding, technology and delivery teams are all experts, totally knowledgable about what we can do (and what we can’t) and are all yours during your XConnect journey, from initial enquiry, to POC, to switching on live service.
