Ofcom investigates Pornhub owner Aylo over age checks

UK regulator Ofcom has opened an investigation into Aylo, the owner of Pornhub, over whether the site's new age checks are effectively preventing children from accessing adult content.

Ofcom said in May that Pornhub had begun using a new age-verification process for some users. The process relies on a third party, Apple. The regulator said Aylo may not have conducted sufficient due diligence and testing before introducing it, and that the process may not be highly effective.

Under the UK's Online Safety Act (OSA), sites hosting pornographic material must use highly effective age assurance to establish whether users are over 18. Ofcom said its investigation will examine how Aylo implements its age-verification processes and whether it carried out the necessary due diligence before they were introduced. It will not investigate how Apple operates its age checks.

George Lusty, Ofcom's Director of Enforcement, said online age checks were vital for preventing children from encountering inappropriate or harmful material, including pornography. The BBC has approached Aylo for comment.

Under the OSA, Ofcom can fine non-compliant companies up to £18 million or 10% of their annual global turnover, whichever is greater.