A regulator has opened an investigation into Pornhub's age-verification arrangements after raising concerns about the site's reliance on third-party checks provided by Apple for some users.
The regulator said it was scrutinising whether the use of Apple-supplied checks meets required standards for age assurance on the platform. The concerns centre on Pornhub's practice of depending, in at least some cases, on a verification process carried out by an external provider rather than solely by the site itself.
Age-verification systems for online adult content have attracted increased regulatory attention in multiple jurisdictions as authorities seek to prevent access by underage users. Regulators typically assess whether verification methods are robust, consistently applied and accompanied by appropriate safeguards for personal data and user privacy.
The investigation will consider how the third-party checks are integrated into Pornhub's systems and whether that approach provides sufficient protection. The regulator has not set out a timetable for the inquiry or indicated what outcomes, if any, might follow from its review. The probe is ongoing and could lead to further requests for information or regulatory action depending on the findings.