Pornhub To Block New UK Users From February 2: What It Means
Published
Key Takeaways
- Pornhub UK block update: New UK users blocked from Feb 2; registration required; response to age verification rules.
- Age verification dispute: Company says rules push users to unsafe, non-compliant websites instead of improving protection.
- Privacy and VPN concerns: VPN usage rises; data breach risks highlight problems with site-based identity verification systems.
Pornhub has announced that it will block new users from the U.K. starting February 2 unless they register. The decision comes amid growing tension between adult websites and U.K. authorities over how online age verification rules are being enforced.
This change follows the implementation of the U.K.’s Online Safety Act, which introduced stricter rules last summer to prevent minors from accessing adult content.
Why Pornhub Is Taking This Step
Pornhub’s parent company, Aylo, says it has tried to comply with the new U.K. age verification rules. However, according to a company spokesperson, both adults and under-18 users are now moving in large numbers to websites that do not follow these regulations.
Aylo argues that the current system is not working as intended. Instead of improving safety, it says the rules are pushing users toward less regulated and potentially more harmful sites. As a result, Pornhub plans to block all U.K. users who are not already registered from accessing its platform.
The company has also criticized how the law has been rolled out, calling this move the beginning of a broader effort to push for changes.
Push For Device-Based Age Verification
Aylo is urging regulators to consider device-level age verification instead of site-based systems. This could mean using age checks built into smartphones and operating systems, likely from companies such as Apple and Google.
According to Aylo, the current approach forces both adults and children toward what it describes as the “most dangerous material possible” by driving them away from compliant platforms and into unregulated parts of the internet.
VPN Use Rises After New Restrictions
Since the new rules came into force, VPN usage in the U.K. has surged. Reports show that VPN apps became some of the most downloaded apps in the Apple App Store after platforms like Pornhub, Reddit, and X began asking users to verify their age.
This rise in VPN usage suggests that many users are masking their locations to bypass restrictions. As a result, there are now discussions around whether VPN services should also face tighter controls.
Privacy Concerns Add To The Debate
Privacy remains a major concern in age verification discussions. Many users prefer to keep distance between their identity and the content they view online. A recent Pornhub data breach, which exposed personal information and viewing habits of registered users, has added to these worries.
Experts say that in the current situation, device-based age verification or stronger VPN identity checks may be safer options than forcing adult websites to collect and store user data themselves.
With Pornhub’s new block on unregistered U.K. users starting February 2, the debate around online safety, privacy, and access to adult content in the U.K. is expected to intensify in the coming weeks.
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