Starmer’s Safety Act Drives Tech Giant from UK, Endangers Children’s Security
Recent legislative developments in the UK have led Pornhub to significantly alter its accessibility within the country. Effective February 2, Pornhub announced it would no longer fully operate in the UK, citing the impact of the government’s Online Safety Act (OSA). Aylo, Pornhub’s parent company, expressed concerns that this legislation inadvertently exposes children to more dangerous online content.
Background on the Online Safety Act
The OSA was revised in July 2022, mandating stringent age verification checks for websites hosting pornography. The goal was to protect minors from accessing potentially harmful material. Despite efforts to comply, Aylo reported that the regulations have made it difficult to maintain standard operations while closing doors on legitimate access.
Compliance and Concerns
- As of January 27, 2026, 68 of the top 100 adult services in the UK have implemented age checks.
- A poll conducted by the Lucy Faithfull Foundation revealed 45% of respondents have sought age-insecure sites to avoid providing personal information.
Alex Kekesi, Aylo’s vice president, stated that the OSA, although well-intentioned, has not accomplished its objective of safeguarding children. Instead, users are shifting to sites that lack proper uploader verification and content moderation, intensifying the risk of exposure to harmful or illegal online content.
Industry Response and Regulatory Actions
Solomon Friedman from Ethical Capital Partners emphasized the flawed nature of the law, arguing it inadvertently directs both adults and children to unsafe areas of the internet. He stated, “This law is pushing both adults and children alike to the cesspools of the internet.”
In response to these developments, Ofcom stated that Pornhub and similar services must choose between implementing age checks per the OSA or blocking access in the UK entirely. They encouraged technology firms to pursue device-level age assurance solutions that effectively protect users. Ofcom further noted ongoing investigations into over 80 porn sites for non-compliance and mentioned imposing significant fines on offending providers.
In conclusion, while the Online Safety Act aims to enhance child security online, the narrative from major industry players indicates a potential backfire, leading to increased accessibility of unregulated content. Ongoing dialogue between Aylo and regulatory bodies will be essential in navigating these complex issues and ensuring child safety in the digital landscape.
