Pornhub Restricts UK Access: New Age Verification Rules
Sunday, 2026/02/01186 words3 minutes1171 reads
Pornhub, one of the world's largest adult content platforms, has announced significant changes for its UK users starting from February 2. The website will only be accessible to those who have previously created an account, citing new age verification requirements introduced by the UK's Online Safety Act.
The company behind Pornhub, Aylo, argues that these new regulations have not effectively protected minors as intended. Instead, they claim it has pushed users towards less regulated and potentially more dangerous parts of the internet. Aylo reported a substantial 77% drop in UK traffic to their website following the implementation of these new rules.
UK regulators, however, maintain that the stricter age checks are fulfilling their purpose of preventing children from accidentally encountering inappropriate material. The government emphasizes that the law aims to ensure robust age verification measures are in place, without necessarily preventing adults from accessing legal content.
This move by Pornhub highlights the ongoing debate about balancing online safety with user privacy and access to information. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of current approaches to regulating online content and protecting minors in the digital age.
