Ofcom Investigates Effectiveness of Pornhub’s Apple Age Checks

Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, has opened a formal investigation into Pornhub operator Aylo to determine whether its age checks prevent children in the UK from seeing pornography. The inquiry concerns a process introduced for some users in May 2026 that relies on signals from Apple suggesting that those users may have already completed Apple’s age checks.

Under the Online Safety Act, sites that host pornography must use “highly effective” age assurance. Ofcom is concerned that Aylo may not have carried out sufficient due diligence and testing before introducing its age assurance process. The regulator will investigate whether the checks meet the act’s requirement for highly effective age assurance and whether Aylo completed a suitable assessment of the likelihood of children accessing the site. 

Responsibility for compliance remains with Aylo, regardless of where an age check takes place. The investigation will not determine how Apple operates its checks.

George Lusty, Ofcom’s Director of Enforcement, said:

Online age checks are a vital protection to prevent children from encountering inappropriate or harmful material, including pornography. We expect tech firms to ensure age checks are highly effective before introducing them. Anything less could leave children at risk.

No breach has been established. Ofcom will gather evidence and, if it identifies a compliance failure, issue a provisional decision that Aylo can respond to before a final ruling. The regulator can require changes and impose fines of up to £18 million (approx. $24 million) or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is greater.

Pornhub restricted UK access to existing account holders in January, while arguing that tougher age-check rules were driving users towards unregulated sites. In May, it said some UK Apple users who had confirmed their age using the latest version of iOS could access the site again.