The UK's controversial 'porn ban' has been scrapped, the government has announced.
The proposed plans would have meant that no one would be able to watch adult content online without prior age verification checks - using a legitimate form of identification such as a credit card, driving licence or passport.
Initially, the ban was due to come into effect on 15 July, but the block was delayed in June after an 'important notification process was not undertaken' for an element of the policy.
Advert
However, now the government has said that the ban has been scrapped altogether, with digital secretary Nicky Morgan confirming today that the plans 'will not be commencing'.
In a written statement to Parliament, Morgan said the government would instead be channeling its efforts into its new 'online harms' regulation, with hopes that this will efficiently address issues caused by children accessing pornographic websites.
Morgan wrote: "The government has concluded that this objective of coherence will be best achieved through our wider online harms proposals and, as a consequence, will not be commencing Part 3 of the Digital Economy Act 2017 concerning age verification for online pornography.
Advert
"The Digital Economy Act objectives will therefore be delivered through our proposed online harms regulatory regime. This course of action will give the regulator discretion on the most effective means for companies to meet their duty of care."
Morgan continued: "The government's commitment to protecting children online is unwavering.
"Adult content is too easily accessed online and more needs to be done to protect children from harm.
Advert
"We want to deliver the most comprehensive approach to keeping children safe online and recognised in the Online Harms White Paper the role that technology can play in keeping all users, particularly children, safe.
"We are committed to the UK becoming a world-leader in the development of online safety technology and to ensure companies of all sizes have access to, and adopt, innovative solutions to improve the safety of their users.
"This includes age verification tools and we expect them to continue to play a key role in protecting children online."
Advert
Featured Image Credit: PA