Porn sites block Australian users ahead of age verification laws

Pornography websites are blocking Australian users ahead of new age verification rules set to take effect on Monday.Aylo, the Canadian parent company of Pornhub, RedTube, YouPorn, and Tube8, has started restricting access to its sites for Australian users.

These measures are in response to laws mandating that users verify their age to access R-rated video games and websites.

Australian users reported being blocked from RedTube, YouPorn, and Tube8, receiving notifications about account registrations in their region.

The Age-Restricted Material Codes require online platforms to restrict children’s access to harmful material. This includes pornography, violence, and self-harm content.

Adults will still access legal adult content but must prove their age, making simple declarations insufficient. The measures aim to complement age restrictions on social media platforms, preventing users under 16 from creating accounts on major networks such as Snapchat and Instagram.

“In these codes, harmful content will be met with helplines rather than providing easy access to dangerous materials,” stated eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant. Companies breaching the codes could face fines of up to $49.5 million. The regulations extend to AI chatbots, raising concerns about their interactions with minors.

Protecting Youth

The new rules aim to ensure that online safeguards mirror those in physical spaces, where children are kept from entering bars and casinos.

The goal is to create a safer online environment for younger users.