Ofcom, the UK media regulator, opens an investigation into Pornhub’s parent company, Aylo, over whether its age-checking system prevents children from accessing pornographic content. The probe centers on compliance with duties under Britain’s Online Safety Act.
Sources report that Ofcom says the existing age-assurance process may not be “highly effective” at stopping under-18s from viewing sexual material. Ofcom also expresses concern that Aylo may not have carried out sufficient due diligence and testing before implementing changes to its age verification approach.
Several outlets add context about Aylo’s actions in the UK. In February, Aylo blocked new users from Pornhub and related sites including YouPorn and Redtube, citing child protection. In May, access was partially restored for new users who pass age verification, with the restored availability tied to users updating to Apple’s latest iOS versions.
Outlets largely align on the regulator’s concerns and the investigation’s legal basis. The main difference in coverage is emphasis: some focus on the potential weakness of the age checks, while others highlight the timeline of blocking and later partial reopening of access.
