Pornhub to Restore Access for Some UK Users

Pornhub will once again be accessible to a portion of users in the United Kingdom after its parent company said it would allow access through Apple devices that have completed new age checks.

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The adult website’s owner, Aylo, announced that people in the UK using iPhones running the latest version of iOS will be able to view the platform if their age has been verified through Apple’s device-level system.

The move partially reverses restrictions introduced earlier this year that blocked most UK visitors from the site.

Site access restricted after safety law

In February, Pornhub limited access for UK users following the implementation of new age-verification requirements under the country’s Online Safety Act.

The platform allowed entry only to users who had previously created accounts and verified that they were adults. New visitors were largely prevented from accessing explicit content and instead saw “safe for work” material.

Aylo said at the time that the age-verification rules were not being applied consistently across the adult-content industry and described the system as flawed. The company therefore declined to continue participating in what it argued was an uneven regulatory framework.

Apple device checks enable limited return

The situation has changed after Apple introduced age-verification tools through an update to its mobile operating system. The feature, rolled out with iOS 26.4, verifies whether a UK user is over 18 at the device level.

Under this approach, eligible users who pass Apple’s checks can once again access Pornhub from their iPhones or iPads running the latest version of iPadOS.

Aylo said it had long supported device-based age checks as a more reliable method of restricting minors from viewing explicit material online.

Alex Kekesi, Aylo’s head of community and brand, said Apple’s update marked the first device-based age verification system of its kind and described it as an important step toward a broader solution for protecting children online.

He said the company would therefore allow age-confirmed UK users on Apple devices back onto the site.

Impact of UK rules on traffic

The policy change comes after Pornhub reported a significant drop in British traffic following the enforcement of the Online Safety Act.

In October 2025, Aylo said visits from the UK had fallen by more than 75% after stronger age-verification requirements came into force. Some observers questioned whether the decline reflected people turning to virtual private networks to bypass restrictions.

Several months later the company further tightened access, effectively preventing new UK users from joining the platform.

Regulator monitoring changes

The UK communications regulator Ofcom, which enforces the Online Safety Act, said it had been in contact with Aylo about how the company intends to comply with the rules.

A spokesperson said the regulator would closely examine the new arrangements and emphasised that websites and apps remain responsible for preventing children from accessing pornographic content.

While device-level checks can be used, companies must be able to demonstrate to Ofcom that their systems are highly effective and be prepared to provide evidence when requested.

Debate over Apple’s verification system

Apple first announced the new safety measures in March, prompting UK iPhone users to complete an age-verification process.

The system can confirm whether someone is over 18 by analysing the length of time they have held an Apple account, checking linked payment details or scanning identification documents.

Initially, some users said they could not complete the process without providing a credit card or driving licence. Apple later updated guidance to say passports could also be used.

The changes have drawn criticism from digital rights group Big Brother Watch. Its director, Silkie Carlo, argued the verification requirements could restrict internet access for people unwilling or unable to confirm their age.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 6 May 2026