Pornhub Parent Blocks New UK Users, Escalating Clash Over Age Verification Laws
In a significant escalation of its dispute with UK regulators, Aylo—the parent company of Pornhub, YouPorn, and RedTube—has blocked new users in Britain from accessing its platforms. The company announced the decision last week, arguing that the UK's enforced age-verification framework, introduced under the Online Safety Act, has inadvertently made the internet less safe.
Existing, age-verified account holders will retain access, Aylo confirmed. The block for new registrations took effect on Monday.
The UK's landmark Online Safety Act mandated age checks on pornography sites from July 2025, aiming to shield children from explicit content. Ofcom, the communications regulator, reports that the top ten most-visited adult platforms have complied. Early data suggests the law is having an impact: Pornhub itself reported a 77% drop in UK traffic. While VPN use initially spiked as users sought to bypass restrictions, Ofcom says that surge has since plateaued, citing the measures as a preliminary success.
However, Aylo contends that its own data tells a different story. The Canadian firm asserts that the verification regime has "driven traffic to darker, unregulated corners of the internet," where non-compliant sites may host dangerous or illegal material, thereby increasing risks for both minors and adults and compromising user privacy.
Online safety advocates and experts remain skeptical of Aylo's rationale. "There's a clear difference between compliance and genuine care," said Ian Henderson, founder of the UK charity Naked Truth Project. He pointed to research indicating that a majority of young people first encounter pornography by accident, suggesting the law is addressing a real harm.
Professor Clare McGlynn, a law expert at Durham University, was more pointed. "This isn't about safety—it's a calculated PR campaign," she told CNN. "Aylo aims to galvanize public opinion against these restrictions and reverse the legislative trend. Their profit-driven model prefers registered users whose data they control over anonymous traffic."
Ofcom responded by noting "widespread adoption" of age checks and promising continued dialogue with Aylo. The regulator has already launched investigations into over 80 non-compliant sites and issued a £1 million fine.
The UK is not alone in this push. A global trend toward stricter online age assurance is gaining momentum, with the European Commission developing a verification blueprint and Australia implementing its own strict rules this month. Notably, Aylo participated constructively in Australia's drafting process, highlighting the inconsistency in its approach across markets.
As the debate intensifies, the core question remains: Are age walls protecting children, or are they, as Aylo claims, creating new dangers?
User Reactions
Marcus T., IT Security Analyst, London: "This is a predictable market reaction. When you erect a wall, traffic finds another path—often a riskier one. The policy needs to account for the entire ecosystem, not just the major platforms."
Eleanor R., Parent & School Governor, Bristol: "Finally, a law with teeth! My concern has always been about accidental exposure. If traffic to Pornhub is down 77%, that's 77% fewer chances a child stumbles onto it. Aylo's withdrawal speaks volumes about their priorities."
"DisgruntledDave," Online Commenter: "Absolute nonsense from Aylo. They cried foul about user safety only AFTER their bottom line got hit. This is a tantrum, not a principled stand. They just don't want the hassle and cost of compliance, and they're gambling that public pressure will make the government back down."
Priya C., Digital Rights Advocate, Manchester: "The privacy concerns are valid. Forcing adults to hand over sensitive ID to access legal content sets a worrying precedent. But Aylo's sudden blockade feels more like a strategic power play than a sincere defense of user rights."