Pornhub blocks UK users with bold new message over controversial age verification law.
Last month, the French government enacted an age verification ban on Pornhub in France, making it so that anyone would need to provide either their credit card or official government ID in order to enter the website.
Now, any Brits trying to access the site will be met with a similar message.
What is the new age verification law?
In line with the Online Safety Act, the new rules mean that British users can no longer simply click onto adult websites. They now have to prove they're over 18 by handing over personal information including credit card details, email addresses, or mobile phone numbers.
The Online Safety Act has been brought in specifically to prevent children from accessing adult content online. According to Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, research found that 8% of children aged between 8 and 14 were visiting pornographic websites each month.
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Ofcom said last month that more than a dozen porn websites have agreed to comply with the age safety checks.
“For too long, children have been only a click away from harmful pornography online," Oliver Griffiths, Ofcom's group director of online safety, explained the reasoning.
“Now, change is happening. These age checks will bring pornography into line with how we treat adult services in the real world, without compromising access and privacy for over-18s.”
How has PornHub responded to the new law?
When accessing PornHub from the UK, the following message now appears: "To continue, we are required to verify that you are 18 or older, in line with the UK Online Safety Act.
"To view your verification options, please visit our Age Verification Page. As part of this process, you will be asked to create a new account on Pornhub - this will automatically create a new account on Allpass Trust as well.
"By proceeding, you acknowledge and agree to Pornhub's and AllpassTrust's Privacy Notices and Pornhub's and Allpass Trust's Terms & Conditions."
Aylo, Pornhub's parent company, announced last month that it would support the new 'government-approved age assurance' technology on its platform.
How does this affect UK users?
Under the new system, British users have several options to verify they're over 18.
Credit or debit card verification
Users can provide credit or debit card details for age checking. Pornhub's parent company, Aylo, explained that since UK regulations require people to be over 18 to get a credit card, this serves as proof of age. The system uses 3D Secure authentication for added security.
Email account creation
Users must create a new Pornhub account with a verified email address via a 'link to their inbox.' According to the company, 'email-based age estimation is listed as capable of being highly effective' by Ofcom's guidance.
Phone verification
Users can verify their age using their mobile phone number.
Online banking
Verification through online banking services is also available as an option.
"Per Ofcom’s guidance on highly effective age assurance measures, in the UK individuals must be over 18 to obtain a credit card, therefore credit card issuers are obliged to verify the age of applicants before providing them with a credit card," they explained.
"3D Secure (3DS) adds strong customer authentication, adding an extra level of security confirming ownership of the card."