New Measures in the UK: Traffic to Porn Sites Plummets

Kokcha News Agency reports that the Online Safety Act, which came into force in the UK on July 25, has led to a sharp decline in traffic to pornographic websites. The new regulation requires all users of adult content sites to prove they are over 18 years old.

Users are now required to upload identification documents, enter credit card details, or verify their age through facial recognition systems. According to web analytics company Similarweb, traffic to Pornhub from the UK dropped by 47% between July 24 and August 8. The daily average number of visitors fell from 3.2 million in July to 2 million in the first nine days of August. Similarly, traffic to XVideos decreased by 47%, while xHamster saw a 39% decline.

VPN Usage Skyrockets:
Part of the decline is attributed to a surge in the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) in the UK following the implementation of the new rules. VPN apps climbed to the top of the App Store rankings, with some providers reporting a tenfold increase in usage in the UK. VPN users appear to be accessing sites from another country, so their visits are not reflected in traffic statistics. Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, stated that major sites, including Pornhub, have complied with the new regulations. However, many platforms only activated their age verification systems shortly before the deadline.

New Law Aims to Block Access to Harmful Content:
The new law aims to prevent children from accessing not only pornography but also harmful content related to self-harm, eating disorders, and suicide. According to Ofcom data, 8% of children aged 8-14 and 19% of boys aged 13-14 in the UK visited pornographic websites in the past month.

Overall, monthly visits to the top 90 adult sites from the UK fell by 23% from July to August. Ofcom has begun reviewing the impact of the law and whether some sites have taken adequate measures.