Flucht aus dem System: Pornhub macht Schluss mit britischen Alterskontrollen

January 28, 2026 at 07:29 PM UTC
Heise Online
Original: DE
Flucht aus dem System: Pornhub macht Schluss mit britischen Alterskontrollen

Pornhub's parent company, Aylo, has announced its withdrawal from the UK market, specifically discontinuing new user registrations on February 2nd. This move is directly linked to the UK's new Online Safety Act, which mandates age verification for adult websites. The company's decision highlights significant challenges faced by digital platforms in complying with evolving regulatory landscapes. The Online Safety Act, enacted in the UK, requires robust age verification measures to protect minors. While the specifics of Aylo's technical implementation or the precise nature of their compliance concerns are not detailed, the platform's exit suggests a substantial barrier to meeting these requirements. This action could be interpreted as a strategic business decision to avoid the operational and potential reputational costs associated with strict enforcement. This development impacts UK users seeking access to Pornhub and raises broader questions about the feasibility and impact of age verification mandates on global digital services. It also underscores a growing trend of digital platforms reassessing their market presence based on regulatory burdens, potentially influencing the availability of certain online content and services within specific jurisdictions. The withdrawal also indirectly supports the narrative of creating more "European alternatives" as global platforms navigate complex national regulations.

Curated and translated by Europe Digital for our multilingual European audience.

Source Information

Publication: Heise Online
Published: January 28, 2026 at 07:29 PM UTC
All rights remain with the original publisher.

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