Traffic to major adult websites such as Pornhub has plunged in the UK since new age-verification laws came into force this summer.
Under the Online Safety Act 2023, which took full effect in July 2025, adult platforms must now confirm users' ages before granting access. Analysts say the sharp decline in visits does not necessarily signal less viewing, as many users appear to have turned to virtual private networks (VPNs), offshore platforms and unregulated websites. It is potentially undermining the protections the law was designed to deliver.
