Introduction of UK Online Safety Act porn age checks results in 'crazy few days' for digital ID firm Yoti

As of Friday, websites operating in the UK with pornographic content must robustly age check users, as part of the Online Safety Act.

Ofcom, which estimates about 14 million people watch online pornography in the UK, says the move will make it harder for children to stumble across harmful material online. Critics, however, have labelled it a draconian attack on a free and open internet.

Somewhat unsurprisingly, there has been a massive surge in VPN sign ups in recent days. Digital ID specialist Yoti is also seeing business boom.

In a LinkedIn post, Robin Tombs, Co-founder and CEO at Yoti, said: “I said on Friday evening the introduction of the UK Online Safety Act age checks resulted in an insane day for us. It’s Sunday evening now and it’s now been a crazy last three days.”

“We launched our Porno Pete video (which flags that millions of UK adults will be able to share anonymously an over 18 age credential with porn sites or other sites needing to comply with the Online Safety Act) on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook on Monday afternoon and over 1.5 million UK individuals had watched it by Wednesday evening.”

Young Liberals have called the Online Safety Act a draconian attack on free speech. #OnlineSafety #freespeech https://t.co/cQ7pqw48fI

— Open Rights Group (@OpenRightsGroup) July 27, 2025

After seeing UK Yoti app downloads go past six million on 15th July, the company shared a link to the video in the app on Friday 25th July and by Sunday UK Porno Pete viewers had jumped past four million views.

Tombs addded: “For the third day running, the Yoti digital ID wallet is second in the UK Apple iPhone App Store Charts, confirming lots of UK adults want to prove age once on their free Yoti so they can then repeatedly easily share their over 18 age credential with porn sites and other businesses that need to check age.”

“There are so many benefits for Britain to unlock once ten(s) of millions of Brits have voluntarily chosen to use a certified reusable digital ID, and hundred(s) of thousands of British businesses have chosen to accept certified reusable digital IDs for proof of age, ID, credentials, ID verified payment etc.”

Tombs concluded by arguing that, with the UK government planning by year end to update alcohol licensing laws to allow certified digital ID wallets for digital proof of age across ~200,00 licensed premises, digital ID is fast approaching a network tipping point.

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Age verification technology will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards, which are now open for entries, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.