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Pornhub is now restricting access for UK users – will other sites follow suit?

In the UK, the most-visited adult website has restricted access to explicit material for unregistered users, although the reasoning behind this decision has not been disclosed.

The recent announcement by Pornhub to limit access in the UK has raised questions about the motivations behind this decision.

A picture of the Pornhub logo on a web browser.
Pornhub has said it is limiting access to UK users from 2 February

As one of the sites required to implement robust age verification measures under the Online Safety Act, which came into effect in July 2025, Pornhub's move is seen as a response to the new regulations.

Critics argue that the law is flawed, as it can be easily circumvented by using a virtual private network (VPN), which can mask a user's location and allow them to bypass age verification.

Aylo, Pornhub's parent company, claims that the law has driven users to sites that do not comply with age verification, potentially increasing exposure to harmful or illegal content.

From February 2, new users will not be able to access explicit content on Pornhub's UK site, while existing users who have not verified their age will face restrictions.

Users can still view some content, but accessing pornographic videos will require login credentials, which are only available to those who signed up before the restrictions took effect.

Some experts question whether Pornhub's decision is genuinely motivated by concerns about the law's effectiveness in protecting children.

The fact that Pornhub announced the restrictions in advance, rather than implementing them immediately, has raised suspicions about the company's intentions.

Law researcher Prof Clare McGlynn from Durham University suggests that Pornhub's move may be a strategic attempt to influence politicians and shape the regulatory landscape.

Prof McGlynn believes that Pornhub's decision may be part of a larger plan to prompt politicians to take action and reconsider the current laws.

"By blocking access, they may be trying to create a sense of urgency and prompt a re-evaluation of the regulations," she said, pointing to similar moves by the company in the US.

Pornhub has previously blocked access to its site in 23 US states, including Alabama, Florida, and Texas, after they introduced laws requiring age verification.

Representatives from Aylo and its owner, Ethical Capital Partners (ECP), have denied that the UK restrictions are a ploy to increase registered users.

Alex Kekesi, head of community and brand at Aylo, stated that the company's intention is not to drive sign-ups, but rather to restrict traffic and comply with the law.

Kekesi described the move as a "gift" to other sites that do not age-verify, which will likely see an increase in traffic as a result of Pornhub's restrictions.

According to Aylo, age checks have led to a 77% decline in UK traffic to its site, although Ofcom's data suggests a more modest reduction of 31% between July and August 2025.

However, these figures do not account for users who employ VPNs to circumvent age checks, which could significantly impact the actual numbers.

The extent of VPN usage in the UK is unclear, with estimates ranging from around 1 million daily users to over 10.7 million downloads of VPN apps on UK mobile devices in 2025.

Solomon Friedman of ECP suggests that device manufacturers like Apple and Google could play a role in verifying user ages, potentially resolving the issue of VPN usage.

Ofcom found that VPN usage more than doubled in the UK after age verification rules came into effect, although the figure has since declined.

Internet Matters reported that there was no significant increase in children using VPNs for the first time, despite the introduction of age verification.

Prof McGlynn believes that Pornhub would prefer to see VPN usage continue, as it would avoid the need for more stringent content regulation and moderation.

The UK government has announced plans to make online porn featuring strangulation or suffocation illegal, as part of efforts to tackle violence against women and girls.

An Aylo spokesperson previously stated that the company does not recommend using technology to bypass the law, despite the potential benefits for the company.

A pop-up notification on Pornhub's UK website says "Please verify your age". It explains under the Online Safety Act it must verify the age of visitors and make sure they are 18 or older. The message adds that to see its options, users must make a Pornhub account. Below the message is a highlighted yellow box prompting users to "check my age" and continue.
Pornhub has been asking visitors to its UK site to complete age verification – something it says many smaller, more dangerous porn sites are not doing

Social media expert Matt Navara suggests that Pornhub's decision to restrict UK access may be more about creating a "legal firewall" than a genuine attempt to protect children.

Navara believes that by blocking UK access, Pornhub can avoid some of the regulatory costs and still collect traffic from users who find ways to access the site.

Lorna Woods, professor of internet law at the University of Essex, notes that Pornhub will still be required to follow rules regarding illegal content, even with the restrictions in place.

Woods suggests that Pornhub's move may be an attempt to draw attention to its actions, rather than a sincere effort to protect children.

Despite the law coming into effect in July 2025, not all porn services in the UK have implemented age checks.

Ofcom reports that the top 10 services, including Pornhub, have introduced age checks, accounting for a quarter of all UK visits.

According to the regulator, 77 of the 100 most popular porn services in the UK have implemented age checks, with 86% of visitors to these sites now subject to age verification.

The data suggests a significant increase in services requiring users to prove their age.

However, nearly a quarter of the UK's most popular 100 services still do not have age checks in place.

Ofcom is taking action against non-compliant sites, including a £1m fine issued in December.

Pornhub appears to be hoping that other platforms will follow its lead and put pressure on lawmakers to consider alternative approaches to age verification.

Iain Corby of the Age Verification Providers Association (AVPA) expects that other sites will not follow Pornhub's example, citing the potential loss of impulsive users.

Corby believes that the impact of age verification on user numbers will vary depending on the site and its user base.

The situation highlights the ongoing challenges and complexities surrounding age verification and online content regulation.

As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how other platforms will respond to the changing regulatory landscape.

The outcome will likely depend on a range of factors, including the effectiveness of age verification measures, the response of lawmakers, and the evolving nature of online content consumption.

According to Corby, Aylo's actions may be an attempt to prompt more rigorous enforcement by Ofcom, a stance that aligns with the AVPA's position.

Ofcom has declined to comment on potential plans, stating that its primary responsibility is to uphold existing regulations.

As the issue of age assurance gains international attention, beyond the UK, it is probable that companies like Pornhub will continue to take a public stance, regardless of their underlying motivations.

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UAE Defeats Canada to Enhance Super 8s Qualification Chances

The United Arab Emirates boosted their slim chances of advancing to the T20 World Cup Super 8s, securing a narrow five-wicket victory over Canada, thanks in part to Aryansh Sharma’s unbeaten 74.

In a crucial match for the United Arab Emirates, Aryansh Sharma achieved his fifth T20 international half-century, contributing to the team's victory over Canada.

The Men's T20 World Cup, being held in Group D in Delhi, saw an intense competition between the two teams.

Canada's innings resulted in a total of 150-7 after 20 overs, with Harsh Thaker scoring 50 runs off 41 balls, while Junaid Siddique took 5 wickets for 35 runs.

The UAE team responded with a total of 154 runs in 19.4 overs, led by Aryansh Sharma's unbeaten 74 runs off 53 balls and Sohaib Khan's 51 runs off 29 balls, despite Bin Zafar taking 3 wickets for 14 runs.

The United Arab Emirates secured a five-wicket win over Canada, boosting their chances in the tournament.

Aryansh Sharma played a pivotal role in the UAE's win, scoring an unbeaten 74 runs to help his team overcome Canada's total.

With four overs remaining, Canada seemed poised to defend their total, but Sohaib Khan's aggressive batting reignited the UAE's chase, as he scored 17 runs off Dillon Heyliger's bowling.

In the final over, the UAE required eight runs to win, and Aryansh Sharma eased the pressure by hitting a six off Jaskaran Singh's first ball.

Sohaib Khan was dismissed after scoring a rapid 51 runs off 29 balls, including four sixes, leaving the scores level.

Muhammad Arfan then sealed the victory with two balls to spare, hitting a four off Jaskaran Singh, as Aryansh Sharma top-scored with 74 runs off 53 balls.

The UAE now stands third in Group D with two points, but they face an uphill task in their upcoming matches against full members South Africa and Afghanistan to advance to the next phase.

Although the UAE has never beaten a full member in any World Cup format, their performance in this match has given them some confidence.

Earlier in the match, Junaid Siddique achieved the best bowling figures by a UAE player in a T20 World Cup, taking 5 wickets for 35 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

Harsh Thaker's 41-ball half-century, which included three sixes and two fours, provided a solid foundation for Canada's total.

Thaker and Navneet Dhaliwal shared a 58-run partnership to help Canada recover from a difficult start, before Dhaliwal was run out for 34 runs.

After Thaker fell victim to Junaid Siddique's slower ball, Canada struggled to find boundaries against the UAE's tight bowling.

Shreyas Movva made a useful contribution of 21 runs off 21 balls, but Junaid Siddique took two wickets in the final over to claim his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 internationals.

In a separate match, Zimbabwe's Brilliant Muzarabani played a key role in his team's stunning win over Australia.

For more updates, notifications, and social media coverage, visit the BBC Sport website.

In another development, Paul Stirling has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20 World Cup due to injury.

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GB’s Bankes knocked out in snowboard cross quarterfinals

Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain was knocked out in the quarter-final stage of the women’s snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain has been knocked out of the women's snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, failing to advance beyond the quarter-final stage.

For more Winter Olympics coverage, videos are available to stream.

Access to Winter Olympics video content is restricted to users in the United Kingdom.

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Family of Murder Victim Expresses Frustration Over Delayed Trial Scheduling

A 21-year-old woman, Chloe Mitchell, lost her life in June 2023, and a man is set to stand trial, facing a murder charge.

The family of Chloe Mitchell, a 21-year-old woman from Ballymena, is facing further uncertainty as they await the outcome of a trial for her alleged murderer, which may be impacted by an ongoing barristers' strike.

A close-up photo of Chloe Mitchell - a young woman with long, straight, fair hair -  smiling at the camera. She is wearing black-framed sunglasses with blue lenses on her head, which are partially visible.
Chloe Mitchell's remains were found eight days after she went missing in 2023

Chloe Mitchell's life was cut short in June 2023, when she was killed in an incident that has left her family and community in shock.

Brandon John Rainey, the man accused of her murder, is scheduled to stand trial on February 23, but the proceedings may be delayed due to the industrial action by defence barristers.

Following a recent court hearing to review trial arrangements, Nadine Mitchell, Chloe's sister, expressed her family's distress and frustration, telling BBC News NI that they are struggling to cope with the uncertainty.

Nadine Mitchell stated that her family has been left with no choice but to wait once again for a resolution, having already endured a prolonged period of anxiety and uncertainty.

The family's emotional turmoil is evident, with Nadine describing the experience as a prolonged period of distress, marked by sleepless nights and unbearable tension.

The Mitchell family is struggling to come to terms with their situation, which has left them feeling overwhelmed and distraught.

The current strike by defence barristers in Northern Ireland, which began last month, is a result of a long-standing dispute over legal aid fees, with barristers arguing that their fees have not kept pace with inflation.

The strike has brought almost all criminal trials in Northern Ireland to a standstill, with the exception of cases where the defendant does not require legal aid.

The Mitchell family has appealed for their case to be treated as an exception, allowing the trial to proceed as scheduled.

Chloe Mitchell, who was 21 at the time of her disappearance, was reported missing in early June 2023, prompting an extensive search operation.

Her remains were discovered about a week later, following a series of searches in the Ballymena area.

Brandon John Rainey was subsequently arrested and charged with Chloe's murder, which is alleged to have taken place between June 2 and June 5, 2023.

Rainey also faces a charge of attempting to prevent the lawful burial of a deceased body.

The dispute between barristers and the Department of Justice centres on the level of legal aid fees, which barristers claim have not increased since 2005.

A close-up of Brandon Rainey, a man with short, fair hair and stubble, looking at the camera.  He is sitting in a vehicle on a dark, wet night.
Brandon Rainey is accused of the murder of Chloe Mitchell

Barristers argue that the fees have not kept pace with inflation, resulting in a significant decrease in their real-terms value over the past 20 years.

The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has warned that the low fees have created a crisis in the justice system, with many younger barristers refusing to take on legal aid cases due to the low rates of pay.

The CBA has described the strike as a "last resort" in their dispute with the Department of Justice, which has been ongoing for some time.

Despite an announced 16% increase in fees, which is set to take effect in mid-January, the strike has continued, with barristers arguing that the increase does not go far enough to address their concerns.

Chloe's father, George Mitchell, has previously appealed for an exception to be made in their case, allowing the trial to proceed despite the strike.

George Mitchell has argued that any delay to the trial would cause further trauma and distress for the families of victims.

He had invited Justice Minister Naomi Long to meet with him and his wife, Georgina, to discuss the matter further.

However, Minister Long has stated that it is not feasible to allow individual cases to proceed while the dispute over legal aid fees remains unresolved, citing ethical and practical concerns.

The minister has reiterated that the decision to grant exceptions lies with the CBA, which must weigh the competing demands of their members and the needs of the justice system.

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