'Tough' new internet rules affecting 70,000,000 people are about to come into force

Millions of people could be about to change the way they get their rocks off, with new laws relating to accessing adult websites coming into play.

There are continued concerns around the globe about the potential for minors to access pornography, with increased pressure from governments to do something about it.

You might remember the recent fracas where Pornhub was banned in Florida (the 17th state to do so), and when this was quickly followed by a ban in France, the world really started to take note.

The likes of China and Thailand have blocked Pornhub, while countries ranging from Afghanistan to Equatorial New Guinea have a total ban on pornography.

Other governments are rolling out stricter verification laws, and jumping on the bandwagon, the United Kingdom is slapping its projected 69.55 million residents with similar restrictions.

UK citizens were warned that 'robust checks' would soon be implemented, meaning ID would be required to access adult sites. Ofcom's Children's Codes reiterate that 'highly effective' age verification must be in place for sites that are hosting adult content such as pornography.

There was recent drama over France's new pornography laws (LIONEL BONAVENTURE / Contributor / Getty)

Previously, most major pornography sites had a simple tick box system where it was up to the user to confirm they're over 18.

Added to this, social media platforms will have to ensure their algorithms aren't directing under 18s toward 'harmful' content. If terms and conditions state that this kind of post isn't permitted, sites will have to ensure the rules are enforced.

As reported by Sky News, methods could include checking credit card details, making you provide ID, or using modern AI facial age estimation software.

Unlike typical AI facial recognition that compares an ID to a database, facial age estimation judges someone based on the positions of their features and other 'age' traits.

Robin Tombs, the chief executive of age estimation company Yoti, explained: "Facial age estimation is effectively taking a selfie in front of your mobile phone or your laptp, and we capture that image [...] on behalf of the business.

"[The AI] checks 'liveness' to ensure it isn't a photo of somebody older and then estimates the age from that selfie, and then returns an over-18 or under-18 message to the business. It then deletes the image."

Ofcom online safety principal Jessica Smith has promised the regulator will 'be tough' on those who don't comply, with fines of up to £18 million ($24.3 million), 10% of revenue, or even stopping them from operating in the UK.

Over on Reddit, opinions were split on whether this is for the good of younger generations or is just another push toward a dystopian nanny state.

One critic complained: "It's surveillance, not safety. Most teens will easily be able to circumvent these restrictions."

Another added: "It's not even surveillance. It is politicians desperate to be seen as doing something about a problem they cannot solve, and not caring too much about the consequences."

A third concluded: "This is gonna be so f**king funny in a few months/years when someone hacks all this info and I f**king GUARANTEE we will see whoever signed this f**king bill into effect, in those files browsing all sorts of disgusting sh*t."

Despite some potential public outcry, Pornhub, dating app Grindr, and social sites like Reddit have already vowed to take Ofcom's new rules seriously.