Online Safety Act (UK)

[Jim1855]

I don't know what the LitApp is lol,?
I don't use Lit on my mobile

If you have a link to it, I can look into it a bit lol

I don't know if this is exactly what @RosewoodTulip is talking about, however this appears to fit the bill.

https://theilluminatus.github.io/litapp/
Search query: https://duckduckgo.com/?q=LitApp

>Are you saying that it might not work as well using the Lit app?
If I am understanding @BlackFlame112000's message correctly, yes applications or websites be somewhat easily coded to provide more details about the underlining Operating System in addition to the basics such as IP address or screen resolution e.g. on Android, operating system version, installed applications, battery level, etc...

That said Virtual Private Networks can be easily described as a direct sold wall connection between two networks as in only the intended parties can see the contents while the outsiders only see the start and end points e.g. IP address A requested a connection to IP address B.

Hope this helps.

 

[Starscream_UK]

I'm definitely in support of a raised minimum age for teens to access social media.

I just feel like there needs to be a fair middle ground somewhere that also protects people's right to privacy.

If I try to log in here next week and it asks for a selfie or bank details or similar as proof that I'm my age then unfortunately that'll be the end of Lit for me. Not that I'm ashamed of anything I do here. But because I need my privacy to be respected and I would not be comfortable with my personal data being locked away or potentially bought at a later date.

I've installed a vpn and hopefully that will be enough. We'll see.

Well, if it's that level of proof that's needed then I can see that clashing with my day job. In that case, I'll be throwing in the towel if the VPN doesn't do the job.

 

[BlackFlame112000]

I don't know if this is exactly what @RosewoodTulip is talking about, however this appears to fit the bill.

https://theilluminatus.github.io/litapp/
Search query: https://duckduckgo.com/?q=LitApp

>Are you saying that it might not work as well using the Lit app?
If I am understanding @BlackFlame112000's message correctly, yes applications or websites be somewhat easily coded to provide more details about the underlining Operating System in addition to the basics such as IP address or screen resolution e.g. on Android, operating system version, installed applications, battery level, etc...

This is an unofficial app, its utilising Lit's API's to populate its stories and UI, unlikley this is going to get age restricted, a VPN should be plenty as its going to be pulling data from the official servers, content hosted on websites, a VPN is plenty

That said Virtual Private Networks can be easily described as a direct sold wall connection between two networks as in only the intended parties can see the contents while the outsiders only see the start and end points e.g. IP address A requested a connection to IP address B.

This is not exactly true, its more closer to false, u get the idea, but understand it wrong
Its more like a virtual encrypted tunnel on the public internet

A VPN would be pointless if you saw the original start and end points lol, cause that's basically how the internet works without the VPN

In a consumer VPN, you're connecting to a VPN provider, not directly to the final website.
This means the VPN provider can see ur traffic if its http, if u utilise https, they won't be seeing that either since it gets encrypted, to the outsider, it will appear such that the traffic originates from the VPN server, it won't be IP A to IP B
Its more like IP A -> VPN Server (masked IP) -> IP B
To an outsider it will look like IP A -> VPN server

Hope this helps.

 

[Jim1855]

This is an unofficial app, its utilising Lit's API's to populate its stories and UI, unlikley this is going to get age restricted, a VPN should be plenty as its going to be pulling data from the official servers, content hosted on websites, a VPN is plenty

This is not exactly true, its more closer to false, u get the idea, but understand it wrong
Its more like a virtual encrypted tunnel on the public internet

A VPN would be pointless if you saw the original start and end points lol, cause that's basically how the internet works without the VPN

In a consumer VPN, you're connecting to a VPN provider, not directly to the final website.
This means the VPN provider can see ur traffic if its http, if u utilise https, they won't be seeing that either since it gets encrypted, to the outsider, it will appear such that the traffic originates from the VPN server, it won't be IP A to IP B
Its more like IP A -> VPN Server (masked IP) -> IP B
To an outsider it will look like IP A -> VPN server

For what ever the following attempt at clarification is worth (probably nothing / negative value, knowing my luck).

Yes you are technically correct (the best kind of correct), At risk of digging my hole even deeper I intentionally didn't want to overwhelm anyone by getting 'stuck' in the weeds of 'technically this and that but only if.......unless.......however......situationally......etc.....'.

To follow on with that train of thought: The final site will see the VPN provider's IP address.

 

[Saltfountain]

Wonder if they'll actually communicate this with us this time...

I doubt it.

We'll just not be able to log on one day

 

[Saltfountain]

So does anyone know what happens to a site that doesn't comply? Lit isn't a UK site, what will happen if Lit chooses not to comply but still 'broadcasts' in the UK? Does it just have access blocked? Can a VPN get around that?

I'm absolutely clueless when it comes to understanding the mechanics of this.

They can be fined £18m or 10% of global turnover, whichever is higher...

 

[LittleMissLandmine]

Most of us with kids knows the hugely successful game platform "Roblox".

Remember the Bronies? The guys who loved My Little Ponies? Same issue there.

 

[Saltfountain]

UK users...

NordVPN is offering their mid tier 2 year plan for the equivalent of £3.49/month

If the free ones aren't giving location choice management, this may. They tend to top best VPN lists all the time

https://i.ibb.co/ycLR7Pt9/Screenshot-20250721-191432.png
https://i.ibb.co/93rwpMXp/Screenshot-20250721-191439.png

 

[Quimpossibility]

They can be fined £18m or 10% of global turnover, whichever is higher...

How? That money will surely be based in the US and so I don't understand how the UK gov can touch it (without some treaty or other, which may well exist).

Surely more likely they would just have the site blocked by ISPs and stuff.

 

[Quimpossibility]

UK users...

NordVPN is offering their mid tier 2 year plan for the equivalent of £3.49/month

If the free ones aren't giving location choice management, this may. They tend to top best VPN lists all the time

https://i.ibb.co/ycLR7Pt9/Screenshot-20250721-191432.png
https://i.ibb.co/93rwpMXp/Screenshot-20250721-191439.png

But you have to pay 85 quid up front

 

[Saltfountain]

How? That money will surely be based in the US and so I don't understand how the UK gov can touch it (without some treaty or other, which may well exist).

Surely more likely they would just have the site blocked by ISPs and stuff.

They're still doing business in UK.

From a £££ point of view they will lose a lot of they stop doing business here.

Much like any other multi national business

 

[Saltfountain]

But you have to pay 85 quid up front

Don't shoot the messenger

I was only offering an option. I didn't say anyone had to do it. I didn't even offer an opinion on if the legislation is justified.

 

[Quimpossibility]

They're still doing business in UK.

From a £££ point of view they will lose a lot of they stop doing business here.

Much like any other multi national business

I don't even know how Lit covers its costs. I'd assumed advertising. Have never considered it.

Will they lost a lot? Moreover, is that a loss they are prepared to take rather than hire some Age Verification service? I mean that's bound to be expensive and burdensome.

I just wish we knew what was happening

 

[Quimpossibility]

Don't shoot the messenger

I was only offering an option. I didn't say anyone had to do it. I didn't even offer an opinion on if the legislation is justified.

I'm not having a go at you.

 

[Saltfountain]

I don't even know how Lit covers its costs. I'd assumed advertising. Have never considered it.

Will they lost a lot? Moreover, is that a loss they are prepared to take rather than hire some Age Verification service? I mean that's bound to be expensive and burdensome.

I just wish we knew what was happening

If more and more countries / states are implementing similar laws, then yes, it will be a cost worth paying

 

[OverconfidentSarcasm]

How? That money will surely be based in the US and so I don't understand how the UK gov can touch it (without some treaty or other, which may well exist).

Surely more likely they would just have the site blocked by ISPs and stuff.

The process is actually fairly simple.

First, they issue the fines and try to collect locally. If, for example, Twitter refuses to comply with their 500-page-long law and the 3,000-page-long "Guide", they would send the police to the Twitter offices located in England, Scotland, Wales, and/or Northern Ireland, and start seizing shit.
If that isn't possible (because Literotica doesn't HAVE offices in the UK), the UK government will launch an investigation into the people running Literotica, and then contact the US government to ask for assistance in seizing bank accounts and material assets.
If the US government refuses (which is actually unlikely if the inquiring government has a legitimate legal claim), the UK government will issue arrest warrants for Manu and ... I forgot her username... with all allied nations with extradition treaties. ...which are almost all nations, since the UK doesn't impose capital punishment and isn't seen as a third-world-torture-till-confession-country.

Meanwhile, as you correctly guessed, Literotica (or more likely the whole CDN they use) will be blocked by UK ISPs (which will put them in the same boat as SOL a few months back and leave them without a hosting service, unless they operate it themselves), while publicly smearing not just Literotica, but the entire network they are involved with, as well as the US government for failing to regulate/control platforms that "willingly and knowingly deliver porn and abuse-fiction to minors" (you can bet your ass they will fixate on the contents of the NC/R and I/T categories for this one). And while blocking the UK-based users might not result in a painful loss of revenue in Lit's Cam Girl site and Sex Toy shop (that's how they finance themselves. Turn off your ad blocker and you'll see the banners), as others have said, the UK aren't alone with their Age Verification demands. And if they publicize a list of all the sites and companies that failed to comply... well, you can guess that all the other countries will want to see that list.

But here's the real problem nobody has mentioned so far (at least not that I have seen): It's not just about age verification.

The law, as I said, is 500 pages long, written in the worst legalese I've ever seen. The Guide on how to comply with the law is another 3,000 pages long, but at least that is somewhat comprehensible without a law-degree. And it outlines a lot of "duties" to comply. Service providers would need to make risk assessments that (probably) cost more than Lit makes in a month, implement biometric ID verification systems (which Reddit does through "Persona" and will cost the users money), and constant legal reviews of those thousands of pages of guidelines that keep changing.

So, yeah... I think it's safe to say Lit will most-likely simply join the masses and block UK-based IP addresses.

 

[Quimpossibility]

So the question is then: when?

This could happen as soon as Friday (iirc). Or they (Lit) could just leave it for a while and wait until they get a warning letter from Ofcom. But that assumes Ofcom won't just initiate legal proceedings straight away rather than give Lit a chance to comply.

 

[Saltfountain]

So, yeah... I think it's safe to say Lit will most-likely simply join the masses and block UK-based IP addresses.

So as and when the EU and more US states make the same stand, they keep closing off markets and shut the platform?

Genuinely don't see that happening

 

[OverconfidentSarcasm]

So the question is then: when?

This could happen as soon as Friday (iirc). Or they (Lit) could just leave it for a while and wait until they get a warning letter from Ofcom. But that assumes Ofcom won't just initiate legal proceedings straight away rather than give Lit a chance to comply.

Please note the part where I wrote that they first have to launch an investigation into who is even running Literotica. They would need to start proceedings to send Lit a warning letter...

*EDIT*: And it goes into effect on Tuesday, not Friday... right? Which would mean they'd have to block users starting Tuesday.

 

[Quimpossibility]

Please note the part where I wrote that they first have to launch an investigation into who is even running Literotica. They would need to start proceedings to send Lit a warning letter...

I mean, sure. I haven't read the guidance. 500 - 3000 pages? Fuck!

 

[OverconfidentSarcasm]

So as and when the EU and more US states make the same stand, they keep closing off markets and shut the platform?

Genuinely don't see that happening

I mean... sure? If the US and EU also implement comparable laws, I guess the people running lit can just go the MindGeek-route and move to Ukraine?

 

[Quimpossibility]

Please note the part where I wrote that they first have to launch an investigation into who is even running Literotica. They would need to start proceedings to send Lit a warning letter...

*EDIT*: And it goes into effect on Tuesday, not Friday... right? Which would mean they'd have to block users starting Tuesday.

I heard it was the 25th which is friday

 

[stxjimmy]

Thank you! I shall look into it

Did you find out any more about using vpn on a phone, I’m uk based too and unsure just what the forthcoming bill will mean.

 

[lingus60]

Did you find out any more about using vpn on a phone, I’m uk based too and unsure just what the forthcoming bill will mean.

Most vpn providers have a phone app so yes you can.

 

[RosewoodTulip]

Did you find out any more about using vpn on a phone, I’m uk based too and unsure just what the forthcoming bill will mean.

I installed a free vpn app (would potentially spring for a paid service if it proves necessary) but honestly I don't really understand how they work. I guess I'll figure it out later in the week