The UK’s age verification system for online pornography will become mandatory on 15 July, the government has confirmed. It is reported by The Guardian.

Websites that refuse to implement the checks face being blocked by UK internet service providers or having their access to payment services withdrawn.

Some campaigners have criticised the laws’ potential effectiveness. The government was forced to exempt large social media sites from the ban owing to fears that a strict implementation would result in sites including Twitter, Reddit, Imgur and Tumblr being blocked for adult content.

Jim Killock, the executive director of the Open Rights Group, said: “The government needs to compel companies to enforce privacy standards. The idea that they are ‘optional’ is dangerous and irresponsible. ”