Pornhub returns to Australia via Apple's device age verification
Pornhub returns to Australia through Apple's device-level age verification without sharing personal data.
Pornhub blocked Australian access in March. Australia's online safety code required adult websites to verify users are 18 or older.
Websites that did not comply faced fines up to $49.5 million. Parent company Aylo raised concerns.
They said age verification risked user privacy. They also worried it would not protect minors.
Now the site is returning to Australia. Apple has built age verification into iOS at the device level.
Users can verify their age through credit card, government ID scan, passport, or existing account history. No personal data goes to adult websites.
VPN apps saw downloads spike after the March blockage. Those apps have since dropped out of popularity rankings.
Aylo says Apple's approach sets a strong standard. UK regulators are investigating whether minors can still access the site there.
- $49.5 million
- Maximum fine for non-compliance
- March
- Month access was blocked
Why it mattersThis shows how major tech platforms are trying to solve a difficult problem. They need to protect children online. At the same time, they must preserve adult privacy.
AustraliaAustralian adults can now access the site via Apple devices without providing personal data to the website; the regulatory model may influence other countries.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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