Pornhub, the world’s largest porn site, will block new users in the United Kingdom starting February 2 due to concerns over the country’s age verification laws. The move is a response to what Pornhub views as ineffective regulations aimed at preventing minors from accessing adult content.
Since the implementation of the Online Safety Act last July, adults in the UK are required to undergo various verification processes, including face scans and ID document uploads, to access adult websites. However, Pornhub noted a significant drop in UK traffic following the enforcement of these laws.
During a presentation, Pornhub’s vice president of brand and community, Alex Kekesi, discussed the company’s decision to block new users in the UK in response to the perceived flaws in the regulatory framework. Despite Pornhub’s compliance with the laws, many other porn sites have not followed suit, undermining the intended purpose of the regulations.
Solomon Friedman, vice president of compliance at Ethical Partners Capital, Pornhub’s parent company, emphasized the importance of safeguarding minors online. Friedman demonstrated that several top search results for adult content in the UK do not adhere to age verification requirements, illustrating the challenges faced by regulators.
As Pornhub takes a stand against the perceived shortcomings of the UK’s age verification laws, the company aims to draw attention to the need for more effective measures to protect young internet users.
Source: WIRED