Italy Launches Age Verification System for Pornographic Websites
Italy is taking a significant step to protect minors from online adult content by implementing a mandatory age verification system for pornographic websites, effective November 12, 2025. The new requirement represents one of Europe’s most comprehensive approaches to restricting underage access to explicit material.
The Italian Communications Regulatory Authority (AGCOM) announced the measure, which will require users to verify their age through certified third parties before accessing adult content. The initial rollout will affect approximately 50 websites, including major platforms such as Pornhub, XHamster, and OnlyFans.
How the System Works
The age verification process employs a sophisticated “double anonymity” framework designed to balance security with user privacy concerns. Under this model, certified third-party verifiers—which could be banks, mobile operators, or specialized companies—confirm a user’s age and issue an anonymous code. The adult website then receives only confirmation of age eligibility without access to the user’s personal identity, while the third-party verifier cannot see which websites users are attempting to access.
According to AGCOM’s guidelines, users must complete this verification process each time they access a regulated site, ensuring ongoing compliance with the age restriction requirements.
Enforcement and Penalties
Non-compliant websites face steep consequences, with potential fines reaching €250,000. AGCOM has indicated it will take direct action against non-complying platforms within 20 days of implementation, with the possibility of blocking access to non-compliant sites entirely from Italy.
Part of a European Trend
Italy joins France and the United Kingdom in implementing stringent age verification requirements. France introduced similar measures in early 2025, requiring pornographic sites to implement robust identity verification solutions. The UK’s approach, which requires users to provide either a selfie or government ID, resulted in a dramatic 77 percent drop in Pornhub visitors from the country.
The legislative foundation for Italy’s measure stems from the “Caivano Decree,” a 2023 government initiative focused on combating juvenile crime and protecting minors from harmful online content exposure.
This regulatory shift reflects growing international concern about the accessibility of explicit material to minors and demonstrates a coordinated European effort to strengthen digital protections for young people.