Written questions by Ferguson.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to ensure that computer generated proofs of age are not used to verify age on websites.

The Online Safety Act requires providers to protect users’ right to privacy when implementing age assurance. UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act requires data to be processed fairly, lawfully, and transparently. Where Ofcom is concerned that a provider has not complied it may refer the matter to the ICO.Under the Act, regulated services that are likely to be accessed by children must implement highly effective age assurance to prevent exposure to harmful content. There are cost-effective compliant methods available.Highly effective age assurance must be robust, and services must take appropriate steps to mitigate against circumvention.

Innovation and Technology, whether Ofcom is taking steps to ensure that companies involved in age verification do not (a) retain and (b) misuse personal data.

The Online Safety Act requires providers to protect users’ right to privacy when implementing age assurance. UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act requires data to be processed fairly, lawfully, and transparently. Where Ofcom is concerned that a provider has not complied it may refer the matter to the ICO.Under the Act, regulated services that are likely to be accessed by children must implement highly effective age assurance to prevent exposure to harmful content. There are cost-effective compliant methods available.Highly effective age assurance must be robust, and services must take appropriate steps to mitigate against circumvention.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has made an estimate of the cost to health advice charities of setting up age verification procedures.

The Online Safety Act requires providers to protect users’ right to privacy when implementing age assurance. UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act requires data to be processed fairly, lawfully, and transparently. Where Ofcom is concerned that a provider has not complied it may refer the matter to the ICO.Under the Act, regulated services that are likely to be accessed by children must implement highly effective age assurance to prevent exposure to harmful content. There are cost-effective compliant methods available.Highly effective age assurance must be robust, and services must take appropriate steps to mitigate against circumvention.

Innovation and Technology, whether organisations providing online health advice are required to age verify users.

The Online Safety Act applies to services which allow users to post content online or interact with each other. This includes a broad range of websites, apps and other services.In-scope services must use highly effective age assurance to prevent children from accessing the most harmful types of content, such as content promoting suicide. They must also provide age-appropriate protections from other kinds of harmful content.Providers do not need to take this action for content which is beneficial to children.