In a bold move, Pornhub’s parent company, Aylo, has announced that it will restrict access for new users in the UK starting on 2 February 2026. This decision stems from the challenges posed by the Online Safety Act (OSA), which Aylo claims has created a “failed system” for regulating adult content online. While existing users who have verified their age will still be able to access the site, new registrations will face a significant barrier, igniting a debate about user safety and privacy in the digital age.
Aylo’s Critique of the Online Safety Act
Aylo, the Canadian adult entertainment conglomerate that owns Pornhub, YouPorn, and Redtube, has expressed serious concerns regarding the implications of the Online Safety Act. The OSA, introduced in July 2025, requires stringent age verification measures for pornography sites to protect minors from accessing explicit material. However, Aylo argues that the legislation has not only failed to safeguard children but has also compromised the privacy of adult users.
In a statement, Alex Kekesi, Aylo’s Vice President of Brand and Community, asserted, “Our sites, which host legal and regulated porn, will no longer be available in the UK to new users, but thousands of irresponsible porn sites will still be easy to access.” This sentiment underscores Aylo’s belief that the OSA has inadvertently pushed users towards less regulated and potentially dangerous corners of the internet.
The Impact of Age Verification on Users
Recent research from the Lucy Faithfull Foundation has revealed alarming statistics regarding user behaviour since the introduction of age checks. Nearly 45% of surveyed adults admitted to visiting sites without age verification to circumvent the new requirements. Kekesi highlighted that this trend further illustrates the OSA’s failure to achieve its primary goal of restricting minors’ access to explicit content.
“The OSA has created an ecosystem where the vast majority of sites with age-inappropriate content are left unchecked,” Kekesi noted. With many users seeking out unregulated sites that lack uploader verification and content moderation, there is a heightened risk of exposure to harmful material. This situation raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the OSA and the safety of online adult content consumption.
The Regulatory Landscape and Future Implications
As of late January 2026, 68 out of the top 100 pornography services operating in the UK have implemented age checks. However, the challenge remains for regulators like Ofcom, which has been tasked with enforcing compliance under the OSA. An Ofcom spokesperson remarked, “Porn services have a choice between using age checks to protect users as required under the Act, or to block access to their sites in the UK.”
The ongoing dialogue between Aylo and Ofcom will be crucial in determining how the industry and regulators navigate these contentious regulations. With Aylo’s withdrawal from the UK market for new users, the implications for both user safety and the future of adult content regulation are profound.
Why it Matters
The restrictions placed on Pornhub are emblematic of a larger struggle between ensuring online safety and preserving user rights and privacy. As more platforms consider their options in light of the OSA, the challenge lies in balancing the needs of minors with those of responsible adult users. The conversation surrounding the regulation of internet content is more relevant than ever, and how this unfolds will shape the future landscape of online adult entertainment. The actions taken now could redefine the relationship between users, content providers, and regulators for years to come.
