In brief
Pornhub’s parent company Aylo lifted its ban from Australia on Wednesday, permitting access only for users who have verified their age through Apple’s Android‑free system. The move follows stricter Australian laws that require proof of adulthood to view porn, R‑rated games and other explicit content. Critics warn Apple’s age‑verification process could expose personal data, yet Aylo argues device‑based checks are the most privacy‑friendly solution. The site’s return underscores the tension between online safety legislation and individual privacy concerns.
Pornhub’s parent company, Aylo, announced that it is restoring access to the world’s biggest pornography site for “eligible adult users” in Australia. Access will be granted only to users who have confirmed their age through Apple’s Australian age‑verification system.
The site left the Australian market in March, citing new laws that require users to prove they are 18 or older. Aylo argued that the legislation would not protect children but would instead create privacy harms and open avenues for exposure on non‑compliant platforms.
Apple recently rolled out an age‑verification feature across its devices in Australia, following a similar introduction in the UK. By default, Apple devices now have child‑safety safeguards that can only be overridden by adult users who verify their identity.
Aylo said it was returning because Apple has set “a benchmark” for privacy‑respecting age checks. The company highlighted that device‑based verification protects children while reducing the amount of personal data shared with multiple sites.
"For years, Aylo has advocated for device‑based age verification as the most effective and privacy‑protecting approach," said vice‑president Alex Kekesi. "Adults no longer need to surrender unnecessary personal information to numerous apps and websites."
The company also notes that Apple’s child‑safety default limits the effectiveness of VPNs that users might otherwise use to bypass age‑checks.
