The decision takes into account the provider’s decision to make the site unavailable to users with UK IP addresses shortly after Ofcom opened its investigation. 

An additional £5,000 penalty has been levied on the company on account of its failure to comply with a statutory information request. The fines will be passed on to HM Treasury.

In addition, Ofcom has also issued two provisional decisions against 8579 LLC and Kick Online Entertainment S.A for similar failings. Both providers now have an opportunity to make representations to Ofcom before it makes its final decisions. 

Ofcom has today also opened new investigations under its age assurance enforcement programme into five providers which together operate 20 pornography sites. 

Action against these companies has been prioritised based on the risk of harm posed by the services they operate. Ofcom has taken particular account of their user numbers, including where there has been significant increases in user traffic since age-check laws came into force last summer.

Suzanne Cater, director of enforcement at Ofcom, said: “The use of highly effective age assurance to protect children from harmful pornographic content is non-negotiable and we will accept no excuses for failure. Any service which fails to meet their age-check duties under the Online Safety Act can expect to face robust enforcement action, including significant fines.”