Goodbye to self-certification, the “double anonymity” digital control for accessing adult content begins. Platforms that transgress risk fines of up to 250 thousand euros and blocking in Italy.
The era of simply clicking on “I’m over 18” ends here: from November 13th, in fact, the obligation to verify your age to access sites begins. The rules of the Communications Regulatory Authority come into force to strengthen the protection of minors online. The measure concerns 48 portals already identified by Agcom, including porn giants such as Pornhub, Xvideos, YouPorn and OnlyFans. In order to operate in Italy, these sites will have to guarantee that users are of age through a certified control system. Failure to do so will result in fines of up to 250 thousand euros and, in the most serious cases, total blocking of the site on national territory.
How age verification works on porn sites: the “double anonymity” system
The new procedure imposed by Agcom introduces a more sophisticated mechanism, inspired by the models already tested in Germany and the United Kingdom. The basic principle is that of “double anonymity”, a system that protects users’ privacy and prevents any direct connection between their identity and the site visited. In practice from now on there are two phases. First, identification takes place at a certified third party, an independent and accredited entity, which verifies the user’s age of majority and issues “proof of age”, specifically a digital key which only confirms that the person is of age. An identification similar to that used to receive the SPID for example: identity documents, facial recognition with biometric comparison, etc. Authentication then occurs, the step in which that proof is associated with the user who is attempting to log in. The site only receives a binary response: “yes” or “no” on the age of majority, without ever knowing the name, document or other sensitive data.
Users will also be able to identify themselves through dedicated apps installed on their smartphone, in a similar way to digital identity wallets. These applications, certified by Agcom, will allow proof of age to be generated directly on the device, without transmitting personal data to porn portals. However, it will not be possible to use SPID or CIE (Electronic Identity Card). The use of public systems, explains the Authority, would violate the principle of double anonymity, because digital identity providers could technically know which site the user is accessing. All operations must remain traceable, transparent and controllable by Agcom, which will have the task of ensuring compliance with the rules by the portals and verification bodies.
The limits and critical points of the new age verification system for accessing pornographic sites
There are some critical issues in the system. First, the technical effectiveness is easily circumvented. In fact, VPNs and proxies allow you to simulate a connection from another country, thus evading geographic blocks and accessing sites as if you were abroad. It’s the same mechanism already observed in the UK, where traffic to adult portals has decreased, but VPN use has exploded.
Then there is the risk of digital discrimination: those who do not have a compatible smartphone, a digital document or a stable connection could be excluded from legitimate access.
On the privacy front, fears related to data security remain, because verification systems, although anonymous, become potential targets for cyber attacks. Finally, the effectiveness of the measure will depend on the constant control of Agcom and the collaboration with the site managers: without continuous monitoring, the risk is that the rule remains more symbolic than truly operational.
What are the rules in Europe about accessing adult sites
How do other European countries regulate access to adult content? In the UK, the Online Safety Act which came into force in summer 2025 imposes age checks on all pornographic sites, with oversight being entrusted to Ofcom. According to a study cited by Financial Timesin the weeks following the introduction of the rule, visits to the main British hardcore portals decreased by around a third, while Pornhub lost 50% of its users. In France the digital media authority has introduced a similar system and here too, verification can occur by uploading an identity document or photo, and non-compliant platforms risk blocking. Germany has for years been using biometric recognition systems certified by the Commission for the Protection of Minors in the Media, which compare the user’s face with the photo on the document.
