Ofcom opens investigation into Pornhub age checks under Online Safety Act
Ofcom has opened an investigation into Aylo's Pornhub over concerns that its age assurance process, which leans on Apple device signals, may not be highly effective at stopping children accessing pornography.
Ofcom has opened an investigation into Aylo Freesites Ltd over whether its age assurance on Pornhub is strong enough to stop children accessing pornography, the regulator announced on 23 September.
The investigation, opened on 22 September under duties in sections 12 and 81 of the Online Safety Act 2023, focuses on a new age assurance process Pornhub introduced in May 2026. That process relies on signals from third-party Apple suggesting UK iPhone or iPad users attempting to access the site may have completed Apple’s own age checks.
Ofcom is concerned Aylo may not have carried out sufficient due diligence and testing before rolling out the process, meaning it may not be highly effective at determining whether a user is a child. The regulator stressed the investigation will not make a determination on how Apple operates its age checks, and Apple is not under investigation.
Under Britain’s Online Safety Act, platforms must put age checks in place to prevent under-18s reaching pornographic content. Ofcom can fine up to £18 million or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue for breaches, and has already levied fines totalling more than £1 million on adult content platforms over age check failures.
Aylo blocked new UK users from Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtube in February, citing the protection of minors, before partially reopening access in May to users who passed age verification. Aylo says UK traffic fell 77% after the Act came into force. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Sources
- Ofcom: Ofcom launches investigation into Pornhub’s age checks
- Ofcom: Enforcement programme to protect children from encountering pornographic content through the use of age assurance
- Reuters via CNA: UK media regulator investigates Pornhub over age checks
- AFP via Algoa FM: UK watchdog opens probe into Pornhub age checks
- Guardian: Pornhub investigated over concerns it can still be accessed by children
- SFG Media: Pornhub UK age verification probe
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