UK regulator to investigate Pornhub parent company for alleged age verification failings
The UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, is investigating Pornhub’s parent company, Aylo, over concerns that their new age verification process isn't effectively preventing children from accessing inappropriate content. The investigation stems from worries that Aylo may not have adequately tested the system before deployment, potentially leaving children vulnerable to harmful material. Ofcom is prepared to impose significant fines if Aylo is found to be in violation of the Online Safety Act.
The UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, announced on Wednesday that it is investigating Pornhub parent company and service provider Aylo due to concerns about whether the firm is complying with the country’s Online Safety Act by rigorously vetting porn viewers’ ages. Age checks are a key plank of the law, which requires “highly effective” age assurance techniques be used to verify whether a user is at least 18.
In May, Pornhub began using a new age verification process to verify some users’ ages, according to an Ofcom press release. The new method relies on signals from Apple that suggest under 18s in the UK “may have completed Apple’s age checks,” the press release said.
“Online age checks are a vital protection to prevent children from encountering inappropriate or harmful material, including pornography,” said George Lusty, director of enforcement at Ofcom. “We expect tech firms to ensure age checks are highly effective before introducing them. Anything less could leave children at risk.”
Ofcom believes that Aylo may not have done enough due diligence and testing before deploying its new age verification method, the press release said, citing concerns that as a result children may still be viewing Pornhub content.
Ofcom plans to collect evidence into whether Aylo’s safeguards failed and from there determine if the company violated the law. At that point, Aylo will be given the opportunity to respond before Ofcom formally decides whether to issue a fine or an order to remedy deficiencies. If the probe ultimately finds Aylo is out of compliance, Ofcom will demand they strengthen their age assurance techniques and impose fines of up to £18 million ($23.8 million) or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue.
An Aylo spokesperson said that Ofcom has previously praised the Apple age-verification methods it uses. Earlier this year, Ofcom reportedly called Apple’s decision to deploy age checks on UK devices “a real win for children and families.” “We trust that the investigation will show Apple’s UK device-level age-verification update, which renders devices operating since iOS26.4 kid safe by default, offers one of the strongest and hardest to circumvent protections currently available for helping prevent minors from accessing age-inappropriate content,” Alex Kekesi, vice president for brand and community at Aylo, said in a statement. “We are committed to working constructively with Ofcom and Apple in our shared commitment to child protection.”