Telegraph Columnist: Is It Time for U.K.-Approved Porn?

LONDON — A Telegraph columnist asked in a published piece today whether it's time for state-approved porn in the U.K.

Columnist Martin Daubney admits that his "massively controversial proposition" could even achieve the unthinkable — it could "unite censors, MPs, child protection agencies and, perhaps most astonishingly of all, the pornographers themselves."

Daubney in his piece surmised that because the demand for online porn is not going away, it might be time for the state to  legislate, control and tax it.

Daubney went on to spell out how his U.K. state-controlled porn could work, including moves to revoke or modify new rules that force online video-on-demand sites to comply with R18 rules and to approve websites with compulsary age verification through groups like the Adult Provider Network, an organization representing those in the adult biz.

"An agreed 'whitelist' of sites would be approved by both ATVOD and the government, and licenses put out to tenure," he wrote. "Everything else would be 'blacklisted'" and blocked by ISPs.

Some of the porn on the U.K. sites would be free, he wrote. But high-def and "personalized" porn would be charged for, with a portion of that revenue taxed and going to back to the government.

"Brits would be watching porn, but at least we’d know what they were watching," he wrote. "[P]orn sites would be able to offer support to anybody who felt their porn use was getting out of control."

Jerry Barnett of Sex & Censorship, however, said there is fear of ATVOD's increasing clout that worries online adult operators.

"If ATVOD got the ability to write blacklists and whitelists and censor our Internet, it would make its leader one of the most powerful people in the U.K.,” Barnett said. “For the pornographers, having a government-regulated pass is a very good way to make money.”

Some readers of the column were critical of Daubney's approach, including those who derided the idea of living in a nanny state.

"What about limiting the supply of vibrators, or making it a criminal offense for a female to reject a man's sexual advances," a reader commented. "What about regulating and taxing gossip on female ... what about regulating and taxing the supply of news on websites such as The Daily Telegraph. It would be a crime to print anything critical of the state!"

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Federal Appeals Court Vacates FTC 'Click to Cancel' Rule Pending Review

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit on Tuesday vacated the Federal Trade Commission’s “click-to-cancel” rule aimed at making it easier for consumers to cancel online subscriptions, pending further review.

NYC Adult Stores Lose Challenge to Zoning Law, May Face Relocation

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit on Tuesday upheld a lower court’s decision to allow enforcement of a 2001 zoning law aimed at forcing adult retail stores out of most parts of New York City.

FSC Drops Florida AV Lawsuit in Wake of SCOTUS Decision

A U.S. district court judge granted on Tuesday a motion by Free Speech Coalition to dismiss the trade association’s lawsuit over Florida’s age verification law, a case that had been on hold pending the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the constitutionality of state AV laws.

Ukrainian President Responds to Porn Legalization Petition

President Volodymyr Zelensky responded Tuesday to an OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine, stating that he would wait for the legislative process to play out “in accordance with established procedure.”

Only Tax Deductions Joins Pineapple Support as Sponsor

Adult industry accounting firm Only Tax Deductions has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

Adult Empire Launches 'Conversations' Podcast Series

Adult Empire has launched a new official podcast series hosted by Nicole Chappelle and Charlie.

Sex Work CEO Launches 'Teams Plan' for AI Assistant

Sex Work CEO has introduced the new Teams Plan for its AI-powered, NSFW text generator, GPTease.

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Website Launches With Call for Speakers

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the website for its annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam, is now live.

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult Industry, Override Possible

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Show More