Ofcom opens investigation into Pornhub over age-check compliance
Ofcom has launched an investigation into whether Pornhub complied with legal duties to stop under-18s accessing pornography, citing concerns over Aylo's due diligence.
Britain's media regulator, Ofcom, said on Wednesday that it has opened an investigation into whether the adult content platform Pornhub has met its legal obligations to prevent children from viewing pornography.
The inquiry centres on requirements under the UK's Online Safety Act, which obliges platforms to introduce age checks that stop under-18s from accessing pornographic material.
Ofcom said it was concerned that Aylo, the service provider behind Pornhub, may not have carried out sufficient due diligence and testing before rolling out its new age-assurance process. In May, Aylo had said Pornhub would use Apple's age-verification system to confirm that users are over 18.
The regulator added that its investigation will not make a determination on how Apple operates its own age checks. Aylo did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ofcom has the authority to fine a company up to £18 million, or 10% of its qualifying worldwide revenue, and can block sites that fail to comply. It has already imposed fines on adult content platforms totalling more than £1 million over age-check failures.