---
title: "Ofcom investigates Pornhub's use of Apple age checks"
description: "Ofcom opened a case on 22 September into whether Pornhub tested an age check built on Apple's signals before using it. Fines reach 10% of revenue."
canonical: https://parentalcontrols.co.uk/news/ofcom-pornhub-apple-age-checks
---

Ban news

# Ofcom is investigating how Pornhub came to rely on Apple’s age checks

The question is whether the site tested its new check before switching it on. Ofcom says it will not rule on Apple's own checks.

![](/assets/anna-moss.jpg)

By **[Anna Moss](/about)** · Manchester mum of one

Updated 4 October 2026

[Ban hub](/ban)

On 22 September 2026 Ofcom opened a formal [investigation](https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/protecting-children/investigation-into-aylos-compliance-with-the-duty-to-prevent-children-from-encountering-pornographic-content-through-the-use-of-age-assurance) into Aylo Freesites Ltd, the company behind Pornhub, over the age checks meant to keep UK children off the site. It [announced the case](https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/protecting-children/ofcom-launches-investigation-into-pornhubs-age-checks) the next day. The duties in question are in sections 12 and 36 of the Online Safety Act, and fines can reach £18 million or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is greater.

The check under scrutiny went live in May 2026. For some UK users on iPhone and iPad, Pornhub relies on signals from Apple suggesting the person may already have completed Apple's age checks. Ofcom is concerned that Aylo “may not have conducted sufficient due diligence and testing” first, and that the result may not be highly effective at stopping children seeing pornography.

The law puts the responsibility on the site, wherever the check happens. Ofcom's guidance says a service using a check done elsewhere must make sure both the original check and the way its result is passed on are highly effective. The investigation covers how Aylo built Apple's signals into its process, and “will not make a determination on how Apple operates its age checks”.

The second question is whether Aylo completed a suitable children's access assessment. A site has to assess whether children are likely to use it before any significant change to its design or operation.

There is no timetable. Ofcom will gather evidence and, if it finds a breach, issue a provisional decision that Aylo can answer before a final one. The under-16 social media ban will rest on the same “highly effective” standard, as our [age checks guide](/guides/age-checks) explains, and Ofcom is separately [investigating TikTok's age checks](/news/ofcom-tiktok-age-checks-investigation).

What this means for you

Ofcom has made no finding against Aylo, and nothing changes on your child's phone because of this case. An age signal passed from a phone to a website is one layer. A block set on the device is another: our [Apple Screen Time guide](/guides/apple-screen-time) shows where to set web content to "Limit adult websites".