MORGANVILLE, NJ – The developer of one of the most popular software systems for running adult affiliate programs has added a feature to assist webmasters in complying with the UK’s age-verification regulations.
The feature, developed by Intelligent ID, automatically shuttles prospective website members who arrive from a UK-based IP address through an extended sign-up process that collects additional personal information, including registered address. The module uses the additional info to validate the user’s age, thus meeting the requirements of new regulations from the UK’s Authority for Television on Demand, more commonly known as ATVOD.
The module has been integrated with back-end system NATS, according to parent company Too Much Media.
ATVOD is a non-governmental entity empowered by the UK government’s official communications regulator, the Office of Communications, to ensure television and online broadcasters comply with all statutory and regulatory requirements. The agency’s powers are fairly broad, including not only the ability to determine what constitutes an on-demand broadcast, but also the authority to enforce broadcast laws under Ofcom oversight. On-demand services that defy ATVOD orders are subject to criminal prosecution.
In 2013, ATVOD took action against 16 websites it deemed in violation of UK broadcast law. The agency’s actions led to fines totaling £100,000 against Playboy.TV’s UK operation and the forcible closure of two other websites. The remainder of the allegedly offending websites changed their operating procedures to comply with ATVOD’s recommendations.
Although the agency has jurisdiction only over sites based in the UK, it has proposed a universal adoption of its policies as a way of protecting children from potentially harmful online material. ATVOD also has threatened to take action against foreign websites that serve consumers located in the UK by blocking their ability to process payments arising in the UK.
The new ATVOD compliance module within NATS is designed to be used by any website anywhere, a Too Much Media statement noted. Using the Surfers Configuration component within the software, webmasters may specify for which sites the module is active and how NATS is to determine the origin of new website visitors. Pre-formatted templates are included within the system.
More information is available here.
