Ofcom Investigates Pornhub Over Age Verification Effectiveness
UK regulator Ofcom has launched an investigation into Pornhub's parent company, Aylo, over concerns that its new age verification system may not effectively prevent children from accessing adult content.
The UK's media regulator, Ofcom, is investigating Pornhub's owner, Aylo, to determine if the site's recently implemented age verification process adequately prevents minors from viewing adult material. The investigation was initiated following concerns that Aylo may not have conducted sufficient due diligence and testing before deploying the new system, which relies on a third party, Apple, for verification.
Under the UK's Online Safety Act, platforms hosting pornographic content are mandated to employ highly effective age assurance methods to confirm users are over 18. Ofcom stated it has concerns that Aylo's new process "may not be highly effective" in this regard.
As part of its investigation, Ofcom will examine how Aylo implements its age verification procedures and whether the company performed the necessary due diligence prior to its introduction. The regulator specified that the investigation will not assess Apple's age-checking operations.
George Lusty, Ofcom's Director of Enforcement, emphasized the critical role of online age checks in safeguarding children from inappropriate content. "We expect tech firms to ensure age checks are highly effective before introducing them," Lusty said. "Anything less could leave children at risk."
Pornhub began using a new age verification process for some users in May, according to Ofcom. If found to be non-compliant with the Online Safety Act, Aylo could face significant penalties, including fines of up to £18 million or 10% of its annual global turnover, whichever is greater.