Pornhub Rejects Claim It Plans to 'Avoid' Age Verification in UK

Pornhub Rejects Claim It Plans to 'Avoid' Age Verification in UK

LOS ANGELES — Pornhub parent company Aylo told XBIZ on Monday that a recent report claiming the site will use a “loophole” to sidestep age verification requirements under the U.K.’s Online Safety Act is “misleading,” and that the company will always ensure its sites are compliant.

The politically conservative U.K. newspaper The Telegraph last week published a sensationalistic report claiming that Pornhub “has said that it would not be covered” by age verification requirements under the OSA, on the grounds that the site does not qualify as a “provider of pornographic content” under OSA rules as they are being implemented by U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

“The world’s biggest porn website will be able to avoid imminent age checks across its adult websites,” the Telegraph article reads.

The story has since been picked up by other news outlets.

Aylo confirmed to XBIZ that it expects to be classified under Part 3 of the OSA, rather than under Part 5, since it publishes user-generated content. However, such classification does not constitute avoidance of provider obligations.

A quote from Ofcom in the same article even mentions Pornhub by name in clarifying that “the ‘Part 5’ duties for pornography providers due to come into force in January largely covered premium pay sites and that the majority of online pornography services accessed in Britain, such as Pornhub, would be covered by later rules covering child safety.”

On Friday, Ofcom posted information clarifying what kinds of services are required to comply with each section of the OSA, and when.

“Platforms that publish their own pornographic content (Part 5 services) must take immediate steps to start introducing highly effective age assurance measures, in line with our guidance,” the update reads. “Sites that allow user-generated pornographic content (Part 3 services) must carry out assessments to confirm whether under-18s are able to access content on their platforms.”

Belying The Telegraph's slant on the story, the Ofcom statement adds that by July 2025, all platforms must have “a highly effective age assurance solution in place to protect under-18s. This is the case whether a service publishes its own pornographic content or allows user-generated pornographic content.”

Aylo told XBIZ, “We are monitoring developments and will always ensure our sites are compliant.”

As XBIZ reported, age verification is listed among the U.K. government’s priorities for its implementation of the OSA.

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

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Aylo Says It Will Comply With UK Age Assurance Requirements

Tech and media company Aylo, which owns various adult properties including Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtube, plans to introduce age assurance methods in the United Kingdom that satisfy government rules under the Online Safety Act, the company has announced.

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Approves Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

The Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday passed legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

Trial Set for Lawsuit by U Wisconsin Professor Fired Over Adult Content

A trial date of June 22, 2026, has been set for the civil lawsuit filed by veteran communications professor Joe Gow against the University of Wisconsin board of regents, which fired him for creating and appearing in adult content.

New UK Task Force Meets to Target Adult Content

The architect of an influential report that recommended banning adult content deemed “degrading, violent and misogynistic” has convened an “Independent Pornography Review task force” aimed at translating that report’s findings into action in the U.K.

11:11 Creations Launches Affiliate Program

11:11 Creations principal Alicia Silver has launched 11:11 Cash for creators and affiliates.

Pineapple Support, Pornhub to Host 'Self Love' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Pornhub are hosting a free online support group for performers to develop self-love.

Show More