The Arokhslair.net forums are now locked indefinitely. This is due to new UK government laws that are coming into effect from this Friday which requires that any website that potentially or does contain adult content requires proof of age verification for any visitor from the UK. This is done by providing proof of ID such as a passport, driving licence or digital ID. It's mainly aimed at social media sites but it includes internet forums as well. Website owners are responsible for proving that their visitors are over 18, and these services typically cost between £0.50 and £2 each and this would happen every time a new or returning user logs in to the website.
It's new bullsh*t UK online safety laws which limits internet access in case minors see it. It's fine if your site does not contain adult content but as the website owner cannot control who posts on their forums it can make it a potential. Fines for non compliance are huge. These restrictions only apply to visitors from the UK but again I cannot control who visits this site on the web and it's almost impossible to set rules per country. I have gone through the forum and removed any topics / posts that snowflakes might find offensive.
Thanks to the UK government on their ever increasing attacks on free speech. Blame them not me.
Moderators can still post.
The private forums for Blade of Darkness members is still open. I shall trust you to not post over 18 content and it will be monitored.
You can still participate in the Drakan community. We have moved to Discord for a long time now - link here https://discord.gg/nCMrU4p
Extract:-
"Yes, the UK Online Safety Act applies to online forums. The Act broadly covers user-to-user services where people can interact with content generated by others, including forums, social media, and messaging services. If a forum has a significant number of UK users or targets the UK market, it will be subject to the Act's requirements.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
User-to-user services:
The Act's duties extend to any online service where users can create, share, or interact with content. This includes discussion forums and chat rooms, which are specifically mentioned as examples of user-to-user services.
UK link:
For the Act to apply, a forum must have a "UK link." This means it either has a significant number of UK users, targets the UK market, or is capable of being used by UK individuals and presents a material risk of harm to them.
Scope of application:
The Act's duties apply to various online platforms, including social media, video-sharing platforms, messaging apps, and online forums. Even if a forum is a minor part of a larger website, it can still be subject to the Act if it meets the UK link criteria.
Enforcement:
Ofcom is the regulator responsible for enforcing the Act. They have developed tools and resources to help service providers understand their obligations and comply with the new rules."