Ofcom launches probe into Pornhub's compliance with UK age-verification rules

Ofcom announced on Wednesday that it is examining whether Pornhub complies with the Online Safety Act’s requirement to prevent minors from viewing pornographic content. Aylo, the company behind Pornhub, said in May it would use Apple’s iPhone age-verification method to confirm users are over 18. Regulators expressed doubt that Aylo performed sufficient testing before implementing the system.

The investigation will focus on Aylo’s processes, not on Apple’s verification technology. Under the Act, Ofcom can levy fines up to £18 million or 10 percent of worldwide revenue, or even block the site. It has already issued fines totalling more than £1 million for similar failures on other adult sites.