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Ofcom investigates Pornhub owner Aylo over age verification methods
Overview
UK media regulator Ofcom has launched an investigation into Aylo, the owner of Pornhub, to determine whether its new age-verification process—which relies on Apple—is effective at preventing children from accessing adult content and whether sufficient due diligence was conducted.
Key points
- Ofcom is investigating whether Pornhub owner Aylo conducted sufficient due diligence on its new Apple-based age verification system.
- The regulator has concerns that the new process may not be highly effective at preventing children from seeing pornography.
- Under the UK's Online Safety Act, pornographic sites must use highly effective age assurance to ensure users are over 18.
- Aylo strongly defended its system, stating that Apple's method provides significantly stronger protection than other methods available in the UK.
- Ofcom holds the power to fine non-compliant companies up to £18 million or 10% of their annual global turnover under the Online Safety Act.