UK Government Pornography Review

The BBFC commissioned a survey to support its case to become the world's internet porn censor. The survey report has now been published. Here is the executive summary:

Published by the Government in February 2025, Baroness Bertin's Independent Pornography Review has recommended reform to align the regulation of online pornography with existing offline standards to tackle the present availability of violent and abusive content on online platforms.

In light of this review, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) have commissioned a survey of 2,000 adult pornography users in the UK, to measure their exposure to and attitudes towards violent or abusive content in online pornography.

This report summarises key findings from the survey under the following sections:

Exposure to violent or abusive content in online pornography

• A third of adult pornography users in the sample reported having been exposed to violent or abusive content in online pornography in the last three months.

• Of the four key categories of violent or abusive content, respondents most often reported having seen depictions of physical violence.

• Women were more likely to report having seen one or more types of violent or abusive content than men.

Attitudes towards violent or abusive content in online pornography

• Over half of the sample reported being concerned about the levels of violence and abuse depicted in online pornography, with 1 in 5 indicating that they felt very concerned.

• A majority of the sample (62%) thought that depictions of physical violence are normalised in online pornography.

• Two-thirds of the sample thought that violent or abusive pornography is contributing to the normalisation of violent sexual behaviour in the real world.

Attitudes towards regulation of violent or abusive content in online pornography

• Almost 9 in 10 adult pornography users in the sample said that they would support new rules to ensure online platforms verify that all individuals shown in content are consenting adults.

• 4 in 5 adult pornography users in the sample would support new rules to prevent online platforms from publishing or distributing pornography that depicts violence or abuse.

• For both types of regulation, women were more likely to be in favour than men.

A British Labour MP, Jessica Asato, has announced that she plans to ask Parliament to outlaw online adult content featuring the act of choking. Asato called choking content insidious and claimed that it has led to a huge increase in the practice in everyday relationships. Asato claimed in an interview with GB News that this is also leading to things like spitting, slapping -- all things that actually many women say they don't want, they don't consent to -- so technically, that's criminal.

Asato explained that, should she be successful in passing the proposed law, the British media censor Ofcom would be empowered to levy really big fines or initiate criminal proceedings against sites or platforms that make choking content available online.

Inevitably the moralist Asato doesn't consider her censorship proposal as censorship. Asked whether she opposes nonviolent consensual pornography, Asato responded:

I don't have any problem with that at all, and I'm certainly not here to be a moralist ...BUT... What I'm really concerned about is the damaging impact it has in the real lives of women and girls in relationships.

Earlier this year, a pornography review initiated under the conservative government of former U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recommended banning any adult content deemed degrading, violent and misogynistic -- including material showing choking, eaggeratingly tagged as non-fatal strangulation.

The BBFC writes in a press release:

The British Board of Film Classification welcomes today's report from the Independent Pornography Review.

As the UK's statutory regulator of film and video content, the classification of offline pornographic content has been a key part of our role for decades.

However, for many years, we have been concerned about the accessibility of violent and abusive pornography online that we would not classify and therefore would be illegal to distribute offline, on physical formats such as DVD and Blu-ray.

We know that this concern is shared by people across the UK, and there is a growing body of evidence which demonstrates the impact of harmful pornography on society.

We stand ready to work with the UK government as they respond to Baroness Bertin's recommendations, including by taking on a formal role as auditor.

President of the British Board of Film Classification, Natasha Kaplinsky said:

The BBFC welcomes Baroness Bertin's thoughtful and ambitious report. For too long, violent and abusive pornography that would be illegal to distribute offline has been freely available online 203 to children and adults alike. It is no surprise that the review has found this content, and its influence, to be deep-rooted in society; its harm potential, abundant.

We believe parity between how pornographic content is regulated offline and online can be achieved. We've been regulating offline pornographic content for 40 years and we stand ready to work with the government on the recommendations of the review to better protect audiences online 203 including by bringing our unparalleled expertise to take on a formal role auditing online pornography.

A little over a year ago Rishi Sunak's government commissioned a review to consider the censorship of online pornography in the UK. The review goes way beyond simply requiring age verification to keep out the under 18s as implemented via the Online 'Safety' Act. It considers all aspects of the censorship of online porn available in the UK.

The review is authored by Gabby Bertin, a conservative peer, promoted by David Cameron. Her relevant background is from campaigning in the sphere of domestic abuse.

Inevitably the majority of 'evidence' invited for the review was from anti-porn campaigners and those that would advantage from the set up of an internet censorship process for adult websites. Much of the language of the report directly uses feminist tropes such as twisting the word 'violent' to mean non violent content that offends feminist axioms.

The author of course introduces her report: "I'm not a prude ...BUT... She writes:

I want to be clear that I do not approach this subject from a prudish or disapproving position. I am a liberal Conservative and a proponent of free speech. I believe that people should be able to do whatever they want if it doesn't harm anyone -- and that includes safely consuming adult content that has been made by consenting adults. ...BUT... we need to strike the right balance between protecting those principles and protecting society, particularly the most vulnerable, from potential risks. And the time has now come to take a stand on this and call out what is really happening and the damage it is doing.

Of course she then goes on to outline a few Trojan horses that would inevitably lead to the banning of blocking of most adult websites available in the UK.

Here is a summary of the chapters of the report most relevant to censorship.

Recommendation 1: 'legal but harmful' content to be banned from publication

Bertin has gotten a bit tied up in contradictory language for this section. Some material is cut by the BBFC because it is illegal in the UK, eg as defined as Extreme Pornography (eg bestiality and real injury). Other material is cut by the BBFC under it's own BBFC guidelines. Initially Bertin defines such content as 'legal but harmful' and then goes to call for the publication of such material to be made illegal to publish.

The BBFC details 'legal but harmful' content as follows:

• material (including dialogue) likely to encourage an interest in sexually abusive activity, which may include adults role-playing as non-adults

• the portrayal of sexual activity which involves real or apparent lack of consent and any form of physical restraint which prevents participants from indicating a withdrawal of consent

• the infliction of pain or acts which are likely to cause serious physical harm, whether real or (in a sexual context) simulated. Some allowance may be made for non-abusive, consensual activity

• penetration by any object likely to cause physical harm

• sexual threats, humiliation, or abuse which do not form part of a clearly consenting role-playing game

And Bertin adds her own additions to the list:

• content that shows racism or could encourage racist attitudes

• content where a performer or creator has withdrawn their consent to being in a film

• stolen content that has been shared without the performer’s knowledge or consent

Bertin goes on to suggest two options for implementing the above censorship:

1. Let Ofcom define a 'Safe Pornography Code of Practice' that defines content to banned and also the process to be implemented to censor such content.
2. Implement the ban via the government creating a criminal publication offence to ban such material with detailed censorship rules written by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Bertin also suggests two extra censorship ideas under this section:

• keyword matching on website searches would mean that terms including girl, young, rape, drunk etc. would result in a warning message.
• paid-for porn services would require daily, weekly, or monthly spend limits on content, much like gambling services.

Recommendation 2 & 25: Content to be made illegal to possess, distribute, and publish (by adding to the definition of already banned extreme porn)

1. So-called choking content, where there is external pressure on the neck, is rife on platforms that host pornography and is a very popular category of content. People acting it out in their sex lives may face devastating consequences. Evidence shows that even a small amount of pressure to the neck can harm the brain, and there is no safe way to strangle a person.

2. Pornographic content that depicts incest should be made illegal. While it is currently a criminal offence to have penetrative sexual activity with a family member (both blood-related and adopted), it is not illegal to act out depictions of incest in pornography. It should be noted that that this would not include pornography that depicts sex between step-relations -- this is not illegal activity in the real world, however this content is rife on mainstream platforms.

Recommendation 3: The non-consensual taking and making of intimate images - whether real or deepfake - should be made an offence.

Whilst it is uncontroversial to ban real non-consensual images it seems a little unjust to bundle this up with deep fakes. It should be noted that there are large amounts of celebrity material that is already commonplace on adult websites and AI tools are already available offline that can be used to create ones own porn without any keyword restrictions as may be imposed by the gatekeepers of online services such as Gemini and ChatGPT

Recommendation 9 & 10. A separate body should conduct content audits

This body will ensure platforms hosting pornographic content are tackling illegal and prohibited content effectively.

To this end, government could appoint a body, such as the BBFC, who have experience in moderating content, to audit content from platforms hosting pornography to ensure they are tackling prohibited and illegal content. This body could expedite reports to Ofcom where there is evidence of lack of compliance (Ofcom could then deploy enforcement measures if there was non-compliance. Government would need to look to additional funding for training and/or additional resource for this body.

Companies that pass the audit could receive an accreditation of good practice. This would signal to the public, government, and ancillary services that this company is well-regulated, acting as an incentive to platforms themselves to raise their own standards.

This would also serve a public awareness angle. I have found that there is currently little public awareness about what good pornographic content looks like, or what a good platform is. This accreditation would be a way for the public to clearly know if the service they are viewing pornography on meets the accreditation or not, allowing for more informed choices.

Of course the accreditation could also serve to warn discerning porn users that the website only serves highly censored porn and may be best avoided.

Recommendation 11. Restricted porn content that is made harder to find, so that it is only available to users if they intentionally seek it out.

• Incest pornography between step-relations

• Teen 18+ category pornography

This type of content should not be served up on a homepage to a first-time user. Industry should collaborate on a watch-list of types of content in this space, restricting and down-ranking this content so that it is not available on homepages to first-time users. Government could decide to regulate this content or conduct further research on harms if there is later proof of harm or inaction in this space.

Recommendation 12. Increased, effective, and quick business disruption measures across the ecosystem of pornography.

Including ancillary services that support the platforms -- should be in place to ensure swift removal of illegal and legal but harmful pornographic content. A clear and enforceable sanctions framework, under the Online Safety Act, should also be established.

Recommendation 14. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) should review its approach to advertising on online pornography sites.

As detailed in Chapter 1, there is limited regulatory oversight of advertisements appearing on pornography sites. I recommend that the ASA critically reviews its approach to regulating the content of advertising on online pornography sites in the UK. This could lead to further oversight to ensure platforms are fully abiding by the code and not featuring advertisements that promote any content that would be captured under the prohibited list in Recommendation 1.

Should a platform not abide by the code, or push harmful content to viewers, strict enforcement measures should be more consistently applied.

Recommendation 21. Performer consent and age verification

Companies that host pornographic content should have consistent safety protocols, processes and safeguards in place to ensure that all performers/creators are consenting adults, are of age (18+), and have not been exploited or coerced into creating content.

Recommendation 22. Performers to be able to get their videos taken down regardless of contractual obligations

There should be clear and standardised processes across the sector to enable performers and creators to withdraw consent and to have content they appear in removed from sites. Even if a performer or creator has provided consent for the initial recording and sharing of pornographic content, they should have every right to withdraw consent at a later point (whatever the reason may be) and have that content removed.

Withdrawing consent, and therefore the content in which one appears, is not a decision that performers take lightly. There are costs associated with the creation of content, and its removal may mean that content no longer generates income, which could result in cutting off a segment of income to a performer, their co-star(s), producer or director. In some cases, if a user has purchased the content and may retain it offline, or subscribed to receive the performer’s work, this makes it more difficult for a performer’s content to be deleted completely. I acknowledge that there are obstacles to overcome due to contract law and cost recovery of film production. Nonetheless, I believe consent must supersede any other consideration. If a performer or ex-performer wants a video removed, I believe their request should be granted.

Recommendation 23. Stolen content

Platforms that host pornographic content should have robust protocols and processes to prevent and respond to stolen content. This should include easy reporting and removal of content stolen from performers.

Recommendation 29. Nudification or nudify apps should be banned.

The government should strongly consider banning apps that have been developed for users to nudify themselves or others. Alternatively, government could explore banning these apps at a device level so that users in the UK are unable to download them on their smartphone, laptops, and other devices.

I don't suppose that there are many porn websites that would survive an audit against the above rules. But of courser Bertin never thinks to ask about the practical consequences of such an industry wide ban as suggested above.

I guess that there is enough porn already in circulation that could as a last resort be passed around on memory stick to keep everyone satisfied for the next 100 years. If not, then I am sure there will be a few websites around the world that will keep going. And if all else fails then perhaps the county lines can branch out into selling contraband porn.

I think porn is now simply too commonplace and too widely accepted by society to effectively ban.

The UK Government's Department for Science, Innovation, Technology and Censorship has called for evidence to inform the final recommendations of its 'Independent' Pornography Review. The government writes:

The government wants to ensure that any legislation and regulation operates appropriately for all pornographic content, and that the criminal justice system have the tools they need to respond to online illegal pornographic material, and exploitation and abuse in the industry.

The Independent Pornography Review involves a comprehensive assessment of the legislation, regulation and enforcement of online and offline pornographic content, and is overseen by Independent Lead Reviewer Baroness Gabby Bertin.

The review will take an evidence-based approach to develop a range of recommendations on how to best to achieve the review's objectives:

• understand the prevalence and harmful impact of illegal pornography online, and the impact on viewers of other forms of legal pornography, including emerging themes like AI-generated pornography, and the impact on viewer's attitudes to violence against women and girls;

• assess the public's awareness and understanding of existing regulation and legislation of pornography;

• consider the current rules in place to regulate the pornography industry, comparing online and offline laws;

• determine if law enforcers and the justice system are responding to illegal pornography sufficiently, and if change is needed;

• find out how prevalent human trafficking and exploitation is in the industry, before recommending how to identify and tackle this;

• use this knowledge to set out what more can be done to provide those who need it with guidance on the potential harmful impact of pornography.

To ensure the review's final recommendations are robust, it is important that a broad range of views and evidence are considered. This call for evidence invites:

• members of the public

• the government

• subject matter experts

• organisations

to contribute to the review.

The call for evidence closes on 7 March 2024.

The UK government is reviewing porn censorship laws for adults, moving beyond the age verification requirements proposed in the current Online Censorship Bill.

No doubt the 'review' will be a one-sided whinge-fest soliciting the views of moralists, censors and law enforcers, whilst totally ignoring the views of film makers and viewers.

The Government writes:

Regulation of online pornography in the UK will undergo a thorough review to make sure it is fit for purpose in tackling exploitation and abuse, the government has announced today (Monday 3 July).

As the way we consume media and access content rapidly changes, the Review will investigate any gaps in UK regulation which allows exploitation and abuse to take place online as well as identifying barriers to enforcing criminal law. While the criminal law has been updated in recent years to tackle the presence of extreme and revenge pornography, there are currently different regimes that address the publication and distribution of commercial pornographic material offline, such as videos, and online. The government wants to ensure any pornography legislation and regulation operates consistently for all pornographic content.

The review will also look at how effective the criminal justice system and law enforcement agencies are in responding to illegal pornographic content, including considering if any changes need to be made to criminal law to address challenges law enforcement might have.

It will also consider what more can be done to provide children with information and resources about the harm caused by pornography. This will make sure that illegal and harmful content, such as that which features child sexual abuse and exploitation, or where adults are being exploited, is robustly dealt with.

The Pornography Review is a prompt response to calls for action from parliamentarians and campaign groups concerned with the prevalence and impact on both children and adults of illegal pornographic content and child sexual exploitation and abuse on pornography sites and social media.

This work is separate to, but builds on, the Online Safety Bill, which will hold social media companies and pornography services accountable for ensuring children cannot view pornography, with a new higher standard on the age verification or age estimation tools they must use.

Technology Minister, Paul Scully, said:

Keeping the public safe is the first priority of any government and with technology moving faster than ever, we cannot take our eye off the ball in exploring what more we can do.

Our Pornography Review will look closely at the laws and regulations relating to offline and online content, informing our next steps in tackling the heinous crimes of exploitation and abuse, wherever it occurs.

'Justice' Minister, Ed Argar, said:

It is vital we keep up with the pace of the online world and this review will help ensure our laws work to protect people online while punishing those who share illegal and harmful content.

The Review will seek expertise across government and significant engagement with the Crown Prosecution Service and police, industry, civil society stakeholders and regulators.

The review will also look at the role of the pornography industry in trafficking and exploiting adult performers, child sexual exploitation and abuse, and how extreme and non-consensual pornographic content online is dealt with.

There are currently several criminal offences, linked to legislation such as the Obscene Publications Act 1959 and the extreme porn offence at s63 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, which can be committed in relation to all pornographic material, whether offline or online. Some pornographic material is covered by communications offences and offences which deal with publicly displayed material in shops and other premises.

Separately, there is a very robust regime of offences tackling the possession, taking and making of indecent images of children, whether they are photographs / films, or non-photographic.

There are also different regulatory regimes, including that established by the Video Recordings Act 1984, which address the publication and distribution of commercial pornographic material offline, and the video-sharing platform regime that addresses some online pornography. Notes to editors

The Review will involve a range of government departments, including the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Ministry of Justice, the Home Office and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Further scope of the Review will be set out in due course.

The Review is aiming to be completed within a year.