Ofcom launches investigation into Pornhub over its age checks - BBC News
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Ofcom investigates Pornhub's age verification process
Ofcom has launched an investigation into Pornhub's owner, Aylo, over concerns that their new age checks might not be effectively stopping children from accessing adult content.
In May, Pornhub began using a third-party service (in this case, Apple) for age verification. Ofcom expressed doubts about whether Aylo conducted sufficient testing, raising questions about the process's effectiveness in preventing underage access to pornography.
Under the UK's Online Safety Act (OSA), sites hosting pornographic material must use highly effective age assurance measures.
Ofcom will focus on how Aylo implements its age verification and whether they conducted adequate due diligence before implementation. The investigation does not target Apple's age checks.
George Lusty, Ofcom's Director of Enforcement, stated:
"Online age checks are vital to protect children from encountering harmful material. We expect tech firms to ensure these checks are highly effective."
Violations of the OSA could result in fines up to £18 million or 10% of a company's annual global turnover, whichever is greater.
This investigation follows Pornhub's previous clash with Ofcom over stricter age verification requirements under the OSA, leading to restricted access for UK users in January.
Aylo reversed this decision in May, stating that updates to the Act had not achieved their goal of protecting minors.