Overview
- Ofcom launched a formal investigation on Wednesday, Sept 23, 2026, into Aylo, the operator of Pornhub, to examine whether the company did enough due diligence before using Apple’s device-based age checks.
- Under the Online Safety Act, which has required 'highly effective' age checks since July 2025, the legal responsibility for proving an age-assurance system works rests with the service provider rather than the device maker.
- Aylo earlier blocked new UK users in January and then restricted access in February before saying in May it would allow Apple-verified device users back onto Pornhub using Apple’s age-check feature.
- Ofcom made clear it will not rule on how Apple’s system works and is focused on Aylo’s compliance, with possible penalties of up to £18 million or 10 percent of qualifying worldwide revenue if breaches are found.
- The probe could affect how other adult sites manage access and may push platforms to show independent testing and documentation of age-assurance systems to avoid enforcement action.