Not a moment too soon: “We have been waiting for some time for this review to be released,” Gemma Kelly, head of policy and public affairs at the Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation (CEASE), told MTUK. “There’s definitely impatience across the sector because we know the review finished up in January. Our concern is that the longer it takes for the government to release the review, the longer the pornography industry is going to be causing harm.”
Wishlist: Kelly said the charity was keen to see recommendations on creating parity between online and offline porn. “Offline, there are very strict rules around content that would be allowed,” Kelly said, including a ban on “quote unquote teen porn, incest pornography,” etc. “The reason we’re so concerned … is because we know it’s driving people towards seeking out actual CSAM.” CEASE would also like to see a public health intervention to tackle some of the worst impacts of porn.
On that note: Kelly said CEASE was happy with the Online Safety Act’s approach to age verification, but “concerned about … how that’s going to be implemented.” CEASE wants Ofcom to specify a numerical threshold for “highly effective” age assurance to “make sure that 99 percent of children couldn’t access porn websites” or adult content on social media.
UP IN ARMS: U.S. lawmakers have described a U.K. order that Apple create a backdoor in its encrypted services as “a foreign cyberattack waged through political means” and urged their national intelligence chief to demand the U.K. retract it or lose intelligence access. Civil society groups and cyber experts also wrote to the Home Office urging it rescind the demand.
E FOR EVIDENCE: The business department has published a call for evidence on e-invoicing first teased in September. Backed by TechUK (and its enterprise software members, natch), supporters argue it will boost productivity while reducing fraud.
Starting slow: As MTUK reported in December, the review says a mandatory approach is on the cards. However, it says “there will be no immediate change.” For now, it’s seeking views on potential models, standards and scope by May 7.
