Summary
New UK rules require porn sites to verify the age of users, leading to a big drop in traffic to these sites. Popular sites like Pornhub saw a significant decrease in visits as a result. However, some smaller, less monitored sites have seen an increase in traffic.
Key Facts
- The UK implemented new age verification rules for porn sites on July 25.
- Pornhub's site traffic in the UK dropped by over 1 million visitors in two weeks.
- Between July 24 and August 8, Pornhub's traffic decreased by 47%.
- Traffic to another site, XVideos, also fell by 47%, and OnlyFans saw a more than 10% decrease.
- Some smaller porn sites experienced increased visits, possibly due to less regulation.
- Virtual Private Network (VPN) app downloads increased significantly after the age verification rules.
- VPNs can hide a user's location, making it seem like they are in a different country.
- Ofcom estimates 14 million people in the UK watch online pornography and has suggested several methods for verifying user age.
