Latest news with #AdamJones
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Thousands of websites blocked for UK users from July 25 under new law
Thousands of websites will be blocked for Uk users from Friday, January 25 thanks to a new law. The Online Safety Act, coming into force on July 25, 2025, will fundamentally change how some websites operate in the UK. The new law requires all sites hosting or distributing adult content to implement robust age verification systems or face serious consequences, including being blocked from UK users or fined up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue. Sites that fail to verify a user's age using proper technology – such as ID checks or third-party verification services – will be considered non-compliant. 'The days of ticking a box to say you're over 18 are over,' said Adam Jones, Internet Law Specialist at HD Claims 'Any adult site operating in the UK must now take meaningful steps to prevent underage access, or risk being banned entirely.' READ MORE: Flight attendant explains seat she always books when flying as a plane passenger READ MORE: NASA shares July 28 update as asteroid heading towards Earth's direction 'fast' This applies not just to traditional porn sites, but also to platforms that host user-generated explicit content such as Reddit, X, and OnlyFans. Under the Act, Ofcom now has the power to: Issue content takedown orders and demand access restrictions Fine platforms that fail to prevent underage access Hold UK-based users and distributors accountable for uploads that breach the law Even sites hosted overseas can be blocked if they are accessible in the UK and fail to comply. Adam said: 'While sites must verify age, they are not permitted to retain sensitive personal data without clear user consent. The law includes privacy protections, and any platform storing unnecessary data risks breaching GDPR.' Users can expect to see an increase in secure, privacy-first age verification tools such as digital wallets, credit checks, or government ID-based systems. Companies that don't meet Ofcom's standards could face significant penalties (up to £18 million or 10% of global turnover), whichever is higher. In the most serious cases, senior managers or executives could be held personally responsible. Senior Commercial Technology and Data Protection Solicitor at law firm Harper James, David Sant, said: 'This is just the latest phase of the online safety rollout. Businesses should already be well-advanced in their compliance work if they operate a search engine or any online service which allows users to interact with each other or encounter their content ('user-to-user' services). Those businesses should already have completed an illegal content risk assessment by March 2025 and implemented appropriate safety measures. And they should also have completed a children's access assessment by April 2025 to determine whether children might use their platforms, triggering comprehensive children's risk‑assessment requirements. 'Any services which missed the deadlines for earlier assessments could already be at risk of enforcement action from Ofcom, and may now be automatically deemed as likely to be accessed by children, triggering the children's risk‑assessment requirements. 'Even if a business missed the deadline, they should note that the 'child access assessments' need to be carried out annually to determine whether a user-to-user service or search service is likely to be accessed by a significant number of children. 'To determine whether a service is likely to be accessed by children, the business must consider whether it's technically possible for children to use the service – something that can only be confidently ruled out if the service uses highly effective age‑assurance tools such as facial age estimation, digital ID verification or photo‑ID matching at first use; simply stating a minimum age in your terms of service is not enough. If it's technically possible for children to access the service, the business must consider other factors, like whether their commercial strategy relies on children accessing the service and whether the content or design of the service is likely to appeal to children. If any of those apply, then it is likely to be accessed by children, which means that the business must carry out a further risk assessment and implement appropriate measures. David added: 'While the headline fines under the Online Safety Act (up to £18m or 10% of worldwide revenue) may sound daunting, enforcement will focus on cases where non-compliance poses real risk, particularly to children. Business should also consider the reputational consequences of Ofcom publishing details of investigations. 'Ofcom has already launched enforcement programmes to monitor whether businesses are complying with their illegal content risk assessment duties and their children's risk assessment duties."
Daily Record
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Anyone with kids given 'jail and fines' warning this summer
Kids could find themselves in serious or fatal situations, and parents cannot claim 'just a few minutes' as an excuse Parents are warned to think twice before leaving their children unattended in cars, even if it's 'just for a few minutes'. Leaving them in the car during a quick errand may seem convenient, but the consequences can be severe. With schools out for summer, there's an anticipated increase in children being left alone in parked cars, raising serious concerns about child safety and the legal implications for parents and bystanders. The Met Office has previously warned that Britain could experience more heatwaves this summer, and combining high temperatures with unsupervised children could become a deadly combination. Even on a seemingly cool day, the temperature inside a car can skyrocket dangerously high within minutes. Omni estimates that approximately 40 children die each year due to being left in overheated cars, with over half of these victims being under two years old. Parents must understand that children are more prone to heatstroke than adults, as their bodies warm up quicker, exacerbating the risk. If you spot a child left alone in a car, immediately dial 999 if they appear distressed or the situation seems very dangerous. While there's no legally defined age, the NSPCC recommends that children under 12 are rarely mature enough to be left alone for extended periods. Under no circumstances should children under five be left alone in a car, reports the Mirror. Adam Jones, legal expert at HD Claims, said: "Many parents believe it's fine to leave their child in the car while they run into the shop or fill up with petrol. But if that child comes to harm, or if the car is stolen with the child inside, the consequences can be devastating, legally and emotionally. There's no legal time limit that makes it 'safe'. If something goes wrong, you're responsible - and that can lead to serious charges." What does the law say? Whilst the UK doesn't have specific laws banning the act of leaving children alone in vehicles, it becomes a criminal matter if the child is put in danger by doing so. The Children and Young Persons Act 1933 makes it an offence to leave a child without supervision "in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health", which can result in prosecution. The severity of penalties varies massively—from police cautions and unlimited fines to a maximum of 10 years behind bars in cases of extreme neglect. Social services may also intervene, particularly where there are repeated incidents. Parents are advised to use their judgment based on the child's maturity and their actions in specific situations. Even if a child seems fine when you leave them, they could become distressed or try to leave the vehicle. What if I see a child locked in a car on a hot day? Ring 999 immediately if you spot a child trapped alone in a vehicle during warm weather. While making the emergency call, test whether the car doors are secured. If you find an unlocked door, open all vehicle doors to allow air circulation and reduce the temperature inside. Remain on the phone with the emergency operator throughout, explaining your every action, as this will create a record of your involvement. If the doors are locked up, ask the call handler what you should do next. If the child seems to be in immediate danger or appears unresponsive, discoloured, or distressed, your instinct may be to break a window and rescue the child. However, you should be aware that this could be deemed criminal damage and you might have to justify your actions later in court. Ensure you inform the police about your intended actions and the reasons behind them. Record your actions with photos or videos and gather the names and contact details of any witnesses to the incident. If you are advised against breaking a window, attempt to shade the child with a piece of clothing.
Daily Mirror
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Parents warned they risk fines and jail time for 'just a few minutes' this summer
People have been warned about the danger that can happen when children are left unattended Parents are being urged to think twice before leaving their children unsupervised in cars — even for 'just a few minutes'. While it might seem easier to leave them in the car if you've got a quick job to do, the consequences are serious. With school finished for the summer, more children are expected to be left alone in parked vehicles, sparking urgent concern over child safety and the law. The Met Office has previously warned that Britain could face even more heatwaves this summer, and pairing extreme temperatures with unattended children could spell danger. Even on a mild day, the temperature inside a car can rise dangerously within minutes. Some statistics estimate that about 40 children die per year due to being left in hot cars, according to Omni, and more than half of them are under two years old. Parents should be aware that children are more susceptible to heatstroke than adults because their bodies heat up faster, making the situation even more serious. If you see a child left alone in a car, dial 999 immediately if they are in distress or the situation appears unsafe. While there's no set age in law, the NSPCC advises that children under 12 are rarely mature enough to be left alone for long periods. Children under five should never be left alone in a car under any circumstances. Adam Jones, legal expert at HD Claims, said: "Many parents believe it's fine to leave their child in the car while they run into the shop or fill up with petrol. But if that child comes to harm, or if the car is stolen with the child inside, the consequences can be devastating, legally and emotionally. There's no legal time limit that makes it 'safe'. If something goes wrong, you're responsible — and that can lead to serious charges." What does the law say? In the UK, there is no specific law that bans leaving a child unattended in a car, but it is an offence if doing so places the child at risk. Under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, leaving a child unsupervised 'in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health' can lead to prosecution. Depending on the severity of the case, parents could risk police warnings, unlimited fines, or up to 10 years in prison in extreme neglect cases. Social services could also get involved, especially if repeated concerns are reported. What if I see a child locked in a car on a hot day? Call 999 immediately if you see a child alone in a car on a hot day. As you make the call, check the car doors to see if they are unlocked. If a door is unlocked, open all of the car doors to cool off the interior. Stay on the line with the emergency services operator, detailing everything you are doing. If the doors are locked, ask the operator for advice. If the child appears to be in immediate danger or the child appears to be unresponsive, is discoloured, or in some kind of obvious distress, you may instinctively want to smash a window and rescue the child. But you need to be aware that this could be classed as criminal damage and, potentially, you may need to defend your actions in court. Make sure you tell the police what you intend to do and why. Take pictures or videos to document your actions and also get the names and numbers of witnesses to the incident. If you are advised not to break a window, try shading the child with an item of clothing.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
'Law is clear' as drivers face £5,000 fine for 'rude' action
Driving through a puddle and splashing pedestrians is not only rude but can also be dangerous - and can land a driver with a huge fine if they're caught doing it Drivers could face penalties of up to £5,000 for carelessly soaking pedestrians during wet weather. Speeding through puddles and drenching nearby pedestrians is not merely thoughtless but can also pose risks, whether carried out deliberately or accidentally. While the Highway Code doesn't explicitly reference splashing pedestrians, legislation exists regarding driving with due care and attention. Section three of the Road Traffic Act 1988 makes it an offence to speed through puddles and drench pavement users, as this constitutes driving "without reasonable consideration for other persons". This means motorists caught committing such acts could face substantial penalties. Penalties for soaking pedestrians Usually, drivers caught drenching pedestrians will be issued a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £100 and possibly three points on their licence. Nevertheless, if proceedings reach court, the driver faces a significantly steeper fine of up to £5,000. Penalties are typically determined by various considerations, including the degree of distress caused by the incident and the extent of inconvenience suffered. Adam Jones, a legal expert at HD Claims, said: "Most people think it's just rude – but the law is very clear. Splashing someone deliberately, or failing to slow down and causing a soaking, can lead to a fixed penalty or even a court summons. At best, it's £100 and three points. At worst, it's five grand and a criminal conviction." How to avoid splashing pedestrians and receiving a fine By following some basic safety guidance, it can be easy to avoid splashing pedestrians and therefore avoiding a hefty fine. Generally, a car will make a large splash when going over a puddle at high speeds. Firstly, the driver should consider whether it's safe to avoid the puddle and not drive through it at all. However, if the road conditions mean that the car has to go through the puddle, reducing the speed slightly can significantly lessen how large a splash from a puddle will be. Jones added: 'Failing to take care in wet weather can land you with more than just a fine. You risk points on your licence, higher insurance premiums – and if you cause injury, even civil claims.' HD Claims also advises drivers to drive cautiously through flooded streets, especially urban areas where there is a higher risk of splashing pedestrians.
North Wales Live
5 days ago
- Climate
- North Wales Live
Splashing a pedestrian could land drivers with a hefty fine expert warns
As torrential rain lashes parts of the UK under a yellow weather alert, a legal expert has issued warning. Adam Jones from HD Claims told drivers that soaking pedestrians by driving through puddles could lead to prosecution – and in the worst case scenario fines of up to £5,000. Under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, driving through standing water in a way that shows 'no reasonable consideration' for pedestrians is classed as careless and inconsiderate driving. That includes splashing someone with muddy rainwater at a crossing or bus stop. 'Most people think it's just rude – but the law is very clear. Splashing someone deliberately, or failing to slow down and causing a soaking, can lead to a fixed penalty or even a court summons,' said Jones. 'At best, it's £100 and three points. At worst, it's five grand and a criminal conviction.' With roads expected to remain waterlogged throughout the week, Jones is urging motorists to: Jones added: 'Failing to take care in wet weather can land you with more than just a fine. You risk points on your licence, higher insurance premiums – and if you cause injury, even civil claims.' And what to do if you are deliberately splashed? HD Claims advises any pedestrian who's been splashed to:
