Pornhub investigated by UK watchdog over age checks

The UK’s internet safety regulator has opened an investigation into age verification controls on major adult site, Pornhub, amid ongoing concerns that children remain able to access it.

Ofcom cautioned that the age-checking mechanism used by Pornhub might not be "highly effective", as mandated under the Online Safety Act to prevent individuals under 18 from viewing harmful content.

The regulator is examining Aylo, the service provider operating Pornhub, to establish if the firm has fulfilled its legal duties under the Act, which came into force in July 2025.

In January, Aylo asserted that the Act had "not achieved its intended goal of protecting minors", declaring that from the next month it would "no longer participate in the failed system" created across the UK.

At the time, the business announced that new UK users would be blocked from accessing Aylo platforms, including YouPorn and Pornhub, but previously age-verified account holders could maintain their access.

Later in May, Aylo revealed it would rely on device-level checks, allowing British users who confirmed they were 18 or older through Apple’s verification method to gain entry to Pornhub and be "served a standard adult user experience".

But Ofcom said on Wednesday the Act is “clear that it is the service provider’s responsibility to ensure that any age assurance process is highly effective – no matter at what stage an age check occurs”.

The regulator added: “We are concerned that Aylo may not have conducted sufficient due diligence and testing before implementing its new age assurance process.

“As a result, we are concerned that Aylo’s process may not be highly effective at preventing children from seeing pornography.”

Ofcom said its investigation will not make a determination on how Apple operates its age checks.

George Lusty, Ofcom’s director of enforcement, said: “Online age checks are a vital protection to prevent children from encountering inappropriate or harmful material, including pornography.

“We expect tech firms to ensure age checks are highly effective before introducing them. Anything less could leave children at risk.”

A finding that Aylo broke the law could result in a fine of up to £18 million or 10 per cent of qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is greater.