One of the world’s most visited pornography websites is being investigated by the UK’s communications watchdog over concerns it can still be accessed by children. Pornhub’s age checking regime may not be “highly effective”, according to Ofcom, and could be in breach of online safety laws requiring strict measures to prevent under-18s from accessing sexually explicit content. Ofcom is investigating Pornhub’s use of Apple’s age verification process to determine whether someone is the appropriate age for viewing pornography.
Pornhub had blocked access to new UK users in response to the Online Safety Act, but announced in May it would use so-called device-level checks, meaning users in the UK who had confirmed they were 18 or older through Apple’s age-verification process would be able to access Pornhub and be “served a standard adult user experience”. Ofcom raised concerns over that decision on Wednesday. Announcing the investigation, it said the act was “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 [Pornhub’s owner] may not have conducted sufficient due diligence and testing before implementing its new age assurance process. Some Ofcom checks of Aylo’s device-level checking system have shown the website could have been accessed by children. 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.
Anything less could leave children at risk.” A finding that Aylo broke the law could result in a fine of up to £18m or 10% of the company’s global revenue, whichever is greater. Aylo’s vice-president of brand and community, Alex Kekesi, said the company would “cooperate fully” with the investigation, adding that it hoped Ofcom would find Apple’s age check, implemented in a software update this year, offers “one of the strongest and hardest to circumvent protections currently available for helping prevent minors from accessing age-inappropriate content”. Last year, before cutting off access to new users, Pornhub said user traffic had declined by three-quarters since the requirement for tough age checks was introduced.
The Apple age-checking process was implemented under the iOS 26.4 software update, which asks users to verify they are over 18. Users who have a credit card on file with Apple or have been Apple users for a significant period of time are deemed over-18. But new Apple account holders – or people whose ages cannot be ascertained – will need to undergo ID checks using official documents such as passports or driving licences.
Beeban Kidron, a crossbench peer and prominent campaigner for child internet safety, said she hoped the Ofcom investigation would result in a renewed drive for effective age checking. It is a question of corporate priorities. I hope the action by Ofcom pushes it up the priority list not only at Pornhub but accross the sector,” she said.
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