Pornhub has restored access to explicit content for some UK users, more than three months after the site blocked most users. Parent company Aylo blocked access in February for users who had not previously registered and verified their age, citing the Online Safety Act (OSA). The company argued that the law was driving visitors to non-compliant sites.
Apple Age Verification Enables Return
On Tuesday, Aylo announced that Apple users who have confirmed their age through iOS system checks can now access Pornhub again. The latest iOS version introduced age verification for UK iPhone users in March. This process verifies age by considering account longevity, scanning ID, or using payment method data.
Alex Kekesi, head of community and brand at Aylo, said: 'With the release of iOS 26.4, Apple has introduced the world's first device-based age verification solution for its users in the UK, a major first step towards a global solution that stands to better protect children everywhere. As a result, today Aylo welcomes eligible age-confirmed UK iOS users back to Pornhub.'
Impact of the Online Safety Act
The OSA has dramatically affected Pornhub's traffic, which fell by 77 percent after the law change, according to Aylo. Previously, users attempting to visit the site were met with safe-for-work content instead of explicit videos.
An Ofcom spokesperson said: 'We remain in close contact with Aylo, and will carefully scrutinise these changes. Services can implement age checks at device account level, but they must be confident they can demonstrate to Ofcom their process is highly effective, and be ready to provide us with detailed information on this when we demand it.'
Ofcom, which enforces the OSA, emphasized that the responsibility to prevent children from accessing porn in the UK falls on sites and apps.
