New users in the United Kingdom will no longer be able to access Aylo’s adult sites, including Pornhub, YouPorn, and RedTube, from Monday. The Canadian company announced this decision citing complications arising from the UK’s age verification requirements, which it claims have inadvertently made the internet less secure.
Existing users who have previously verified their age will continue to have access, according to Aylo’s statement last week. This move follows the UK’s implementation of mandatory age verification for pornography websites in July 2025, under the Online Safety Act, aimed at shielding minors from explicit content.
Impact of Age Verification Laws
Since the law’s enforcement, the UK’s Office of Communications (Ofcom) reports compliance among the top 10 most visited pornography platforms. Pornhub, however, claims a significant 77% drop in traffic, with initial spikes in VPN usage to bypass restrictions eventually stabilizing. Ofcom and online safety advocates have labeled the regulations a preliminary success.
Despite these claims, Aylo argues that the age verification framework has inadvertently driven users towards unregulated sites, increasing exposure to potentially harmful content and risking personal data privacy. The company insists that the current system has made the internet more dangerous for both minors and adults.
Expert Opinions and Analysis
Experts offer a more skeptical perspective on Aylo’s claims. Iain Corby from the Age Verification Providers Association suggests that it is too early to determine the laws’ impact on children’s access to pornography, with comprehensive data expected in Ofcom’s annual Children’s Media Use and Attitudes survey. However, research by Internet Matters indicates that children’s VPN usage remains unchanged, suggesting early success in the legislation’s goals.
Ian Henderson, CEO of the UK charity Naked Truth Project, supports the notion that decreased traffic to Pornhub indicates effective prevention of accidental exposure to pornographic content among children. A UK Children’s Commissioner report revealed that 27% of children had encountered pornography online by age 11, often accidentally.
“Most of the people we help first encountered pornography by accident,” Henderson noted.
Challenges and Concerns
While the laws aim to protect minors, some research indicates they may inadvertently expose adults to more harmful content. A survey by the Lucy Faithfull Foundation found that 45% of respondents visited noncompliant sites to avoid sharing personal information, with 39% encountering uncomfortable content.
The foundation supports the Online Safety Act but emphasizes the importance of awareness regarding the content consumed. Corby calls for comprehensive enforcement to ensure all pornographic websites accessed from the UK adhere to age verification, suggesting Ofcom use its powers to disrupt noncompliant foreign operators.
International Context and Future Implications
Clare McGlynn, a law professor at Durham University, questions Aylo’s motivations, suggesting the move is part of a strategic campaign to challenge legislation and sway public opinion against restrictions. Aylo’s actions align with its international strategy, having restricted access in US states with similar laws.
Globally, age verification is gaining traction. The European Commission is developing an Age Verification Blueprint, and Canada is revisiting legislation to restrict minors’ access to pornography. Australia will enforce strict age verification from March 9, following a social media ban for under-16s.
Aylo remains committed to collaborating with international partners, including the UK and European Commission, to refine future policies based on lessons learned from the UK experience.
As the debate over online safety continues, the effectiveness and ramifications of age verification laws will be closely monitored, shaping the future landscape of internet regulation and user privacy.
