Cindy Gallop, founder and CEO of MakeLoveNotPorn (MLNP), has refuted claims that her platform is noncompliant with the United Kingdom's Online Safety Act. The allegations surfaced after Gallop announced a new public education partnership with Labour Party MP Samantha Niblett.

Allegations Surface

The controversy began when right-wing British tabloid The Daily Mail reported that MakeLoveNotPorn was allegedly "breaching" age verification requirements under the law, as enforced by U.K. digital regulator Ofcom. According to the report, MLNP allows a 12-second preview before requiring payment, during which viewers can already see explicit visuals.

Gallop's Response

In a statement to AVN, Gallop clarified that her platform was and is fully compliant with the Online Safety Act. She attributed the issue to a temporary technical glitch, stating "We had a technical glitch with our site, but I'm happy to confirm we were and are fully compliant with the Online Safety Act. We had a temporary disruption due to a technical issue we addressed asap."

Background on the Online Safety Act

The United Kingdom's Online Safety Act 2023 aims to protect children from online harms, including exposure to age-restricted content. The law requires digital service providers to implement effective age checks and ensure that minors are not accessing prohibited materials.

Key Facts

  • Cindy Gallop, founder and CEO of MakeLoveNotPorn (MLNP), has refuted claims of noncompliance with the United Kingdom's Online Safety Act.
  • The allegations surfaced after Gallop announced a new public education partnership with Labour Party MP Samantha Niblett.
  • MakeLoveNotPorn allows a 12-second preview before requiring payment, but this was attributed to a technical glitch by Gallop.
  • The United Kingdom's Online Safety Act 2023 aims to protect children from online harms, including exposure to age-restricted content.

Gallop's statement comes as part of her efforts to promote comprehensive sex education throughout the United Kingdom. Her partnership with Niblett is focused on a "Summer of Sex" campaign, which aims to educate young people about healthy relationships and consent.

The controversy surrounding MakeLoveNotPorn highlights the complexities of regulating online content in the UK. As the Online Safety Act continues to be implemented, digital service providers must ensure that they are complying with the law's requirements.