Pornhub restricts UK access

Pornhub, owned by Aylo, is set to limit access for new users in the United Kingdom from February 2, 2026, blaming the 'failed system' brought about by the Online Safety Act 2023. The Act, introduced in July last year, requires websites hosting pornographic material to implement robust age-verification measures. Aylo claims the law has made the internet more dangerous for minors and adults, jeopardizing the privacy and personal data of UK citizens, and has led to a 77% drop in UK traffic. United Kingdom — Ofcom, the UK regulator, maintains that porn services have a choice between using age checks or blocking access and has taken action against non-compliant sites. Aylo argues that the framework has diverted traffic to unregulated corners of the internet and advocates for device-level age assurance.