Pornhub restores Australian access for verified Apple users after seven months

Pornhub has returned to Australia following a seven-month ban imposed due to the country's age verification laws introduced in March. The video-sharing platform had blocked access for Australian users citing privacy concerns, but has now restored service exclusively for Apple device users who have completed Apple's age verification process. This marks a compromise between the site's privacy concerns and Australia's regulatory requirements to protect minors from adult content.

Australia's age verification laws, which took effect on 9 March, require online users to provide proof they are over 18 to access adult content, with platforms needing to implement measures such as facial age estimation, photo ID verification or digital wallets. Aylo, Pornhub's parent company, announced the return after Apple established what it termed a 'benchmark' by making child safety features default on all devices. The company has advocated that device-based verification offers the most effective and privacy-protecting approach. Only Australian users who have verified their age through Apple's system will have access to the platform.