Pornhub to withdraw from UK for new users over OSA age-check rules

Aylo, the Cyprus-based company that owns Pornhub, along with sister sites YouPorn and RedTube, has announced that it will block all new UK users from 2 February in response to mandatory age-verification requirements under the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA). Aylo stated that only existing account holders who have already verified their age will retain access. This decision follows a reported 77% decline in UK traffic since enforcement began last summer, alongside a significant rise in the use of VPN software to bypass restrictions.

Alex Kekesi, vice-president of brand and community for Aylo, criticised the OSA as a failed system, arguing that it compromises user privacy and diverts traffic to unregulated, darker corners of the internet. The company claims circumvention is rampant and that responsible operators are being replaced by sites that lack content moderation or uploader verification. These unintended consequences increase public exposure to dangerous or illegal material.

In response, a spokesperson for Ofcom defended the OSA, noting that 68 of the top 100 pornography services in the UK have already successfully deployed age checks. The regulator stated its rules are flexible and proportionate, confirming that "there’s nothing to stop technology providers from developing solutions which work at the device level, and we would urge the industry to get on with that if they can evidence it is highly effective."

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