Ofcom investigates Aylo's Apple-based Pornhub age checks

Ofcom is investigating whether Aylo's Apple age checks for Pornhub meet UK Online Safety Act duties, with fines up to £18 million.

Ofcom is investigating whether Pornhub owner Aylo's Apple-based age checks comply with UK Online Safety Act age-assurance duties that took effect in July 2025. Pornhub blocked new UK visitors in February 2026 and in May 2026 began accepting Apple age-check signals for some eligible UK iPhone users, while new Android, PC and other UK users remain blocked. The probe focuses on Aylo's implementation, effectiveness, pre-deployment testing and due diligence rather than Apple's system; regulators are concerned the method may not be 'highly effective' and that insufficient diligence could have allowed minors to see adult content. Two reports say UK visits fell 47 percent after the rules and were reportedly down 77 percent by October. If found non-compliant, Aylo could face fines of up to £18 million ($23.8 million) or 10 percent of worldwide revenue—Reports 2 and 3 say qualifying worldwide revenue, while Report 1 does not—and The Record also cites mandated remediation. Aylo's Alex Kekesi said the company will cooperate fully and defended Apple's device-level verification, including iOS 26.4, as among the strongest and hardest protections to bypass, citing prior Ofcom praise.