News
Pornhub to restrict access for UK users from next week
In the UK, access to Pornhub will soon be restricted to individuals who have created an account and confirmed their age.
Starting next week, UK users will face restricted access to Pornhub due to the introduction of stricter age verification measures for explicit websites.
As of 2 February, only existing Pornhub account holders will be able to access the site's content, while new users will be barred.
Aylo, Pornhub's parent company, has criticized the UK's Online Safety Act, stating that its age verification requirements have driven traffic to unregulated and potentially darker areas of the internet, rather than protecting minors.
Aylo reported a 77% decline in traffic to its website in October, following the implementation of the new law.
Ofcom, the UK's regulatory body, argued that the tougher age checks were effective in preventing children from accessing inappropriate material.
An Ofcom spokesperson noted that porn services have the option to either implement age checks or block access to their sites in the UK, as required by the Online Safety Act.
The regulator plans to continue discussions with Aylo to understand the company's decision to restrict UK access to its site.
Alex Kekesi, head of community and brand at Aylo, described the move to limit UK access as a "difficult decision" for the company.
Kekesi expressed concerns that while Aylo's sites, which host regulated porn, will no longer be accessible to new users in the UK, thousands of unregulated and potentially irresponsible porn sites will remain easily accessible.
Initially, Aylo had complied with the Online Safety Act's requirements, hoping that Ofcom could effectively enforce the regulations and achieve meaningful compliance.
However, six months after the introduction of age check requirements, Kekesi stated that the company's experience suggests the Act has failed to achieve its objective of protecting children.
A spokesperson for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology emphasized that the Online Safety Act requires online pornographic services to prevent children from accessing explicit material by implementing robust age assurance measures.
The spokesperson clarified that the Act does not restrict adults from viewing legal content and that services can remain available in the UK as long as they ensure that under-18s cannot access the material.
According to web tracker Similarweb, Pornhub remains the largest porn platform in the UK.
The site was one of many that implemented age verification measures for UK visitors last summer, as required by the Online Safety Act.
After 2 February, UK users attempting to access Pornhub will be met with a block, rather than the site's content, according to Kekesi.
The same restrictions will apply to other Aylo-owned porn sites, including YouPorn and Redtube.
Solomon Friedman of Ethical Capital Partners, which owns Aylo, acknowledged that Ofcom is working to enforce age check requirements in good faith.
However, Friedman argued that the problem lies with the law itself, rather than the regulator, and that it is impossible for the law to succeed in its current form.
Friedman noted that despite the introduction of age verification requirements six months ago, it remains easy for people to access porn online, such as through search engines.
He emphasized that the issue persists, with people still able to access explicit content with ease.
Emma Drake, a partner at law firm Bird and Bird, pointed out that research cited by Aylo, which suggests adults are seeking riskier porn sites, also indicates that overall adult use of porn sites has decreased.
Drake inferred that the same trend likely applies to children, telling the BBC that while determined individuals may find alternative routes, adding barriers to well-known sites can still protect many children.
Aylo reiterated its stance that device manufacturers, such as Apple, Google, and Microsoft, are best positioned to introduce technical measures to prevent children from accessing porn sites.
Friedman argued that controlling access at the device level is efficient, effective, and privacy-preserving.
Ofcom's spokesperson responded that there is no obstacle preventing tech firms from developing age assurance methods at the device level and encouraged the industry to do so if they can demonstrate its effectiveness.
The spokesperson emphasized that Ofcom's role is to enforce the existing rules and that the regulator has implemented flexible and proportionate age assurance rules, which have seen widespread adoption.
Cybersecurity expert Dr. Chelsea Jarvie told the BBC that while device-level controls can play a role in age assurance, they are not a foolproof solution.
Jarvie noted that Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) can still be used to bypass controls, and that protecting children online requires a layered approach rather than relying on a single measure.
VPNs allow users to disguise their online location and appear as if they are accessing the internet from a different country.
The use of VPNs has increased in the UK since the introduction of age verification requirements on 25 July.
Recently, the House of Lords voted to pass an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, aiming to prohibit the provision of VPNs to children.
Additional reporting for this story was provided by Laura Cress and Chris Vallance.
For more on the world's top tech stories and trends, sign up for our Tech Decoded newsletter, available for users outside the UK.
The newsletter offers a comprehensive look at the latest developments in the tech world.
To stay up-to-date on the latest tech news, subscribe to our newsletter today.
News
Tudor to take interim charge of Tottenham
Igor Tudor has reached an agreement to take the reins as Tottenham’s interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
Tottenham has reached an agreement with Igor Tudor to take the helm as interim head coach for the remainder of the current season.
For the latest updates, in-depth analysis, and perspectives from fans, look to Tottenham's recent news and discussion.
Do you have any questions about Tottenham – what information are you seeking?
News
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.
News
Guardiola Advocates for Cultural Embrace to Foster a Better Society
Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has stated that accepting diverse cultures will lead to a more harmonious society, in reaction to comments made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe regarding immigration.
As a player, Pep Guardiola earned 47 international caps for Spain, showcasing his skills on the global stage.
Manchester City's manager, Pep Guardiola, believes that embracing diverse cultures is essential for creating a more harmonious society.
Guardiola was questioned about his thoughts on comments made by Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who stated that the UK had been "colonised by immigrants", sparking a debate.
Following criticism, Ratcliffe apologised for any offence caused, while still advocating for open discussion on the issue.
Ahead of Manchester City's FA Cup fourth-round match against Salford, Guardiola shared his perspective, saying that people seek better lives and opportunities, which can be found in their birthplace or elsewhere.
According to Guardiola, one's birthplace is not a determining factor in their potential or aspirations.
Many individuals are forced to leave their homelands due to problems in their native countries, rather than a desire to abandon their roots.
Guardiola emphasized that by genuinely embracing other cultures, society as a whole can improve, a notion he has no doubts about.
An examination of the facts behind Jim Ratcliffe's statements on immigration and benefits is also underway.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a billionaire, has made headlines, but who is he and how did he accumulate his wealth?
Born in Santpedor, Catalonia, Spain, Guardiola has had a diverse career, playing in Spain, Italy, Qatar, and Mexico, before transitioning to management.
As a manager, the 55-year-old has had stints in Spain, Germany, and England, taking the helm at Manchester City in 2016.
Guardiola views the issue of immigration as a global problem, stating that it is a concern that affects many countries.
He believes that immigrants are often unfairly blamed for problems in their adopted countries, highlighting the fact that one's birthplace is often a matter of circumstance.
Guardiola reiterated that people from all backgrounds strive for a better life, seeking opportunities that may be available in their birth country or elsewhere.
He stressed that factors such as skin colour or birthplace should not be barriers to achieving one's goals.
For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Manchester City, please refer to our dedicated section.
Do you have any questions about Manchester City that you would like answered?
-
News11 hours agoAustralian Politics Faces Questions Over Gender Equality Amid Sussan Ley’s Appointment
-
News8 hours agoFarage Says Reform to Replace Traditional Tory Party
-
News8 hours agoWrexham Pair Seek Win Against Former Team Ipswich
-
News13 hours agoLiberal Party Removes Australia’s First Female Leader
-
News11 hours agoUK Braces for Cold Snap with Snow and Ice Alerts Expected
-
News8 hours agoHusband’s alleged £600k theft for sex and antiques blamed on drug side effects
-
News2 days agoSunbed ads spreading harmful misinformation to young people
-
Business14 hours agoBBC Reporter Exposed to Cyber Attack Due to Vulnerabilities in AI Coding Tool