Pornhub Restored in Australia for Adults Using Apple Devices
After an eight-month absence, Pornhub has resumed services for Australian adult users who complete Apple's age verification process.
Pornhub, which withdrew from the Australian market due to strict age verification laws, has returned to the country after an eight-month hiatus. The company announced that for now, the site will only be accessible to adult users who verify their age through Apple devices.
Pornhub's Return to Australia
Pornhub has returned to Australia and the site has been re-opened for access eight months after going dark due to age verification laws.
Parent company Aylo announced on Wednesday that access has been restored for eligible adult users who have gone through Apple's age verification process in Australia.
The March Market Departure
The world's largest adult content site had left the market in March, arguing that new laws forcing users to prove they are over 18 would not protect children.
At the time, the company stated that such rules would cause privacy harms and increase traffic to non-compliant platforms.
Australia's Age Verification Laws
In March, Australia introduced stricter laws requiring users to be over 18 to access adult content such as pornography, R-rated video games, and explicit AI chatbots.
The country's online safety regulator stated that these changes would protect children from harmful content and that platforms in violation would face fines.
Apple's New Age Controls
Apple recently implemented new age controls in Australia following a rollout in the UK, and the company updated its child safety standards.
Aylo stated that Apple set a benchmark by establishing default child safety features across all devices, prompting its return to the Australian market.
Advantages of Device-Based Age Verification
Alex Kekesi, VP of Brand and Community at Aylo, noted that they have argued for years that device-based age verification is the most effective approach to preventing minors from accessing inappropriate content.
Kekesi emphasized that Australian users with age-verified Apple devices will be provided with a standard adult experience.
Verification Methods and Privacy
Apple users can prove they are over 18 using a credit card, passport, driver's license, or government-issued ID.
It is stated that thanks to the default presence of child safety features on devices, adults do not have to share unnecessary personal information with multiple apps and websites.