The UK's media regulator, Ofcom, has launched an investigation into Pornhub and 21 other porn websites due to concerns over their age verification procedures. This probe comes after the Online Safety Act mandated stricter age checks for adult content platforms in the UK, requiring users to verify their age through ID or a selfie since July 2025. Ofcom's primary concern is to prevent children from easily accessing inappropriate content online.
The investigation targets five specific companies, including Cyberitic, LLC, Web Prime Inc, Youngtek Solutions Ltd, and ZD Media s.r.o., which collectively operate at least 22 porn sites. These sites are estimated to attract around 8 million UK visitors monthly, making them a high priority for Ofcom due to their potential for harm and large user base. An additional 47 sites are already under investigation, and two companies, 8579 LLC and Itai Tech, are facing expanded probes for failing to respond to information requests.
Ofcom's research indicates significant exposure of children to online pornography, with about 8% of children aged 8-14 visiting an online porn site or app in a month. This figure rises to 15% for 13-14-year-olds. Pornhub is identified as the most used site in the UK, with 18% (8.4 million) of UK adults visiting it monthly. The new regulations have led to a surge in VPN downloads as users attempt to circumvent the age verification measures, though Ofcom acknowledges it cannot entirely prevent VPN use. If compliance failures are found, sites face hefty fines and potential blocking in the UK.
