The Online Purchasing of Goods and Services (Age Verification)
Bill received its first reading in Parliament on Tuesday when it
was introduced by Labour MP Margaret Moran as a private member's
bill.
Moran said in a speech to the House of Commons that e-commerce
provided people under 18 with a loophole, enabling them to buy
age-restricted goods such as alcohol, cigarettes and
pornography.
"There are most often no checks online, thus enabling children
to buy age-restricted goods," she said. "This is at a time when we
are all rightly concerned about the increasing availability of
knives and alcohol to under-age youngsters."
"The Bill would require online retailers and those who
facilitate such purchases – for instance, via pre-payment cards –
to take positive steps to ensure age compliance. We cannot have a
wild west scenario whereby anything is sold to anyone and no one
takes responsibility."
While credit cards are only available to over-18s, many goods
can now be purchased using pre-payment cards which can be obtained
by people under 18.
"The People newspaper worked with a 14-year-old called Zach,"
said Moran. "He got a pre-paid card at a local store; he paid cash
and walked out the door with it. The card retailers say that their
cards can be sold only to people over the age of 18, but Zach had
no trouble getting his – there was no check whatsoever."
"Since there is no law that says it is illegal to sell the cards
to persons under the age of 18, one is bound to wonder how
carefully many retailers monitor it. Using the card, Zach was able
to order XXX porn videos from Amazon, and knives from Tesco that
were delivered to his home where he signed for them personally.
Oddbins delivered some Vodka to his house, and apparently William
Hill let him bet £10 on a football match," said Moran.
Though many websites ask customers to verify that they are over
18, Moran said that this was not sufficient protection. She said
that the gambling industry was having to find ways to ensure online
gamblers were over 18, and the retail industry should also be
searching for technology to make this possible.
"The Gambling Act 2006, which came into force last September,
specifically requires online gambling companies to implement an age
verification service that is in no way dependent on the method of
payment being used," she said. "In relation to gambling, the House
has said it is not acceptable simply to ask people to confirm their
age."
"We require companies to verify that their customers are over
18, for themselves, separately. We did that specifically and solely
to protect children. There are technological solutions, and
companies are providing online age and ID check solutions in order
to screen minors," she said.
The Bill will have its second reading to the House of Commons on
16th May, at which point it will be generally debated. Most Private
Members' Bills do not become law but can succeed in raising
awareness of an issue.
