Pornhub investigated by UK’s online watchdog

LONDON — The U.K.’s online safety regulator Ofcom on Wednesday launched an investigation into PornHub’s parent company Aylo over its reliance on Apple’s device-based age checks to keep kids off its platform.

Since July 2025, all sites and apps that allow pornography need to have age checks in place to prevent children accessing adult content under the U.K.’s Online Safety Act.

PornHub blocked all unregistered U.K. users in February, complaining that the site had suffered a fall in traffic as visitors flocked to non-compliant sites en masse and arguing that only device-based checks conducted by the likes of Apple and Google would level the playing field.

In May the site said it would be accessible again to Apple users thanks to the company introducing age checks as part of its latest iOS software update.

But Ofcom said “Aylo may not have conducted sufficient due diligence and testing before implementing its new age assurance process.” Under the Online Safety Act, it is the service provider’s responsibility — in this case Aylo’s, not Apple’s — to ensure that process is highly effective.

 “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,” George Lusty, Ofcom’s director of enforcement, said.

Aylo did not immediately respond to a request for comment.