Pornhub UK Block: New Users Locked Out from Feb 2

Starting February 2, 2026, UK users who haven’t verified their age will no longer be able to access Pornhub. This change comes after the platform’s owner, Aylo, cited challenges in complying with the country’s Online Safety Act, which was designed to protect children online. For many, this raises urgent questions: How will age verification work, and what happens to users who haven’t completed it yet?

Why Pornhub is Restricting Access in the UK

Aylo, the company behind Pornhub, announced that it will block unverified UK users as a response to the country’s “failed” online safety regulations. The platform argues that the Online Safety Act, intended to shield minors from harmful content, has not achieved its goals. Instead, Aylo claims it may inadvertently drive users toward less regulated parts of the internet, potentially increasing risk rather than reducing it.

The move highlights growing tensions between tech platforms and governments over online safety. While the UK government insists on “strong age checks” for adult content, platforms like Pornhub warn these measures can compromise privacy and may not be as effective as intended.

How Age Verification on Pornhub Works

Pornhub has introduced several ways for UK users to verify their age. Options include:

• Uploading a government-issued ID

• Entering credit card details

• Verifying through a mobile network

• Using other secure third-party methods

Users who complete the verification process will continue to access the site without interruption. Those who haven’t verified by February 2, however, will face immediate restrictions.

While these methods aim to enforce the law, many users have already found ways to bypass age checks, including VPNs and workarounds for facial recognition tools. This loophole issue is part of why Aylo criticized the regulations as ineffective.

The Online Safety Act and Its Controversies

The UK’s Online Safety Act became law in 2023 and specifically targets content deemed harmful to children. Platforms hosting adult content, social media services, and gaming networks are required to implement strict age verification measures. Sites like Reddit, Xbox, Discord, and Bluesky have also faced similar mandates.

Despite these rules, critics argue that enforcement is inconsistent, often leading to privacy concerns without significantly improving child safety. Aylo points out that the current framework could redirect traffic toward “darker, unregulated corners of the internet,” potentially exposing minors to even riskier content.

What This Means for UK Users

For existing users who have already completed age verification, the transition will be seamless. Logging in will allow uninterrupted access to Pornhub. For everyone else, February 2 marks the cutoff: attempts to access the platform without verification will be blocked.

The decision underscores the growing debate about privacy, online safety, and government regulation in the digital age. UK users may now need to weigh privacy concerns against compliance or consider alternatives for age verification if they wish to continue using adult content platforms.

As digital regulations evolve, companies like Aylo are pushing back, arguing that laws like the Online Safety Act are ineffective in practice. Whether this sparks wider reform, stricter enforcement, or innovation in verification technology remains to be seen. For now, UK users are urged to complete age verification or prepare to lose access to Pornhub starting February 2.

The situation highlights the complex balance between protecting children online, respecting user privacy, and enforcing digital regulations. With more countries considering similar rules, the industry may see further changes in age verification standards in the near future.