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The UK's new porn block - forcing Brits to show their identification to prove their age - will come into force in just under two months, the Government says.

It was believed the long-delayed age verification system would roll out this month, but the Government has announced it will go into effect on July 15.

The plan, beset by technical difficulties, will force users to prove their age before accessing porn websites.

Porn site visitors in the UK will be directed to a non-pornographic 'landing page' where they will be prompted to enter an email address and password, and verify their age using a passport, driving licence or credit card.

The Government has said the system is a "world-leading step" towards protecting children.

It said porn is too easy for children to access on the internet.

But the plans have triggered fears over users' privacy and the potential for a data leak.

Jim Killock, executive director of Open Rights Group, said: “The Government needs to compel companies to enforce privacy standards.

"The idea that they are ‘optional’ is dangerous and irresponsible.

“Having some age verification that is good and other systems that are bad is unfair and a scammer’s paradise – of the government’s own making.

“Data leaks could be disastrous. And they will be the government’s own fault.

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“The government needs to shape up and legislate for privacy before their own policy results in people being outed, careers destroyed or suicides being provoked.”

The legislation was passed in 2017 but it has been subject to a number of delays.

The Government had previously said it would be rolled out by the end of 2018.

Minister for Digital Margot James said: "Adult content is currently far too easy for children to access online.

"The introduction of mandatory age-verification is a world-first and we've taken the time to balance privacy concerns with the need to protect children from inappropriate content.

"We want the UK to be the safest place in the world to be online and these new laws will help us achieve this."

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), which has been chosen as regulator for the rules, said the move means the UK is leading the way in internet safety.

"On entry into force, consumers will be able to identify that an age-verification provider has met rigorous security and data checks if they carry the BBFC's new green 'AV' symbol," said chief executive David Austin.

Websites that do not implement age-verification technology could have payment services withdrawn and face being blocked in the UK, the Government said.

They will be required to show that they are taking sufficient steps to verify their users are over 18.

It appears Britons don't have much faith in the plans.

A recent YouGov poll found that most Britons - 76 per cent - had no idea the porn block was being introduced, and just a third think it will be effective.

Two-thirds of those polled said they back the plans.