The UK's New Age Verification Regulations Lead to a Sharp Decline in Porn Site Access: Is an "Adult Block" Possible? — The Reality Shown by the UK's Social Experiment

When the age verification rules of the Online Safety Act were fully implemented in the UK on July 25, the UK traffic to major adult sites plummeted across the board in just two weeks. According to reports based on Similarweb's data, both Pornhub and XVideos saw a 47% decrease, while xHamster experienced a 39% decrease. On the other hand, social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, which also implemented age gates, did not see a significant slowdown. The regulation aims to protect minors, but in reality, VPN usage has surged, leading to more "underground" access. What is happening in the UK internet space right after the implementation? The GuardianFinancial Times

Content of Implementation: Required "Age Assurance"

Under the Online Safety Act, adult sites and some large platforms are obligated to "effectively" verify that users are 18 years or older. Methods include facial estimation, ID verification, credit card checks, and digital ID wallets. Violations could result in hefty fines or site blocking. The GuardianWikipedia

Data-Driven Decline: Major Sites Fall, Long Tail Slightly Increases

According to Similarweb's timeline, comparing July 24, the day before implementation, with August 8, Pornhub's UK daily visits shrank from 3.6 million to 1.9 million. XVideos saw a similar rate of decline, and xHamster also experienced a significant drop. In contrast, some small, non-compliant sites, which are harder to regulate, saw an increase in traffic—indicating a "creep" from major sites to the long tail. The GuardianThe Verge

What Happened to Social Media? "Age Gates" Introduced, Traffic Relatively Stable

Platforms like X and Reddit also strengthened age gates, but according to Similarweb metrics, they did not experience a "halving" level of decline like adult sites, remaining relatively stable overall. The strictness of age verification (necessity of identity verification) and the degree of adult exposure on the platform may have caused the differences in impact. The Guardianolhardigital.com.br

VPNs Take Center Stage—Dominate App Store Rankings, Sign-Ups Surge **1400–1800%**

Immediately after the rules began, VPN downloads and subscriptions in the UK soared. Proton VPN reported a 1800% increase in UK sign-ups (some reports state 1400%), and there were days when VPNs dominated the top free apps on iOS. Some users are using VPNs to disguise their connections as overseas, avoiding age verification. The VergeThe RegisterArs Technica

Simultaneous Crackdown: Ofcom Begins Investigation of 34 Sites

The UK regulator Ofcom has officially launched an investigation into four companies (a total of 34 sites) suspected of non-compliance. They have shown a willingness to block access or impose fines if necessary, aiming to ensure the effectiveness of the implementation. www.ofcom.org.uk

Voices from the Field: The "Realities of Approval and Disapproval" Spread on Social Media

After the implementation, various reactions erupted on social media.

• Privacy Concerns: "Facial scans and ID submissions are overkill," "I'm afraid of data leaks"—such concerns are prominent, along with posts questioning the "expansion" of regulation, such as "Is Wikipedia going to be involved too?" The Times

• Discussion on "Places to Return": Age checks have become a topic on platforms like Spotify, with some extreme voices suggesting a "return to piracy" for music and videos. Excessive age gates may lead to a "departure from legitimate routes." TechRadar

• "Loopholes" Become Memes: Jokes about tricking age verification on platforms like Discord with game images are spreading. The seriousness of the implementation and the lightness of internet culture ironically intersect. Cybernews

• Thread Atmosphere: On Reddit, threads range from practical discussions like "Halved? Of course," "VPN is the only option," to long debates about balancing freedom and safety, showing a variety of perspectives. Reddit

What Constitutes Success and What Are the Challenges?

In terms of the policy goal of protecting children from harmful content, the short-term traffic decline is a sign of "success." However, at the same time,

1. **Circumvention Behavior (VPNs and Small Sites)** leaves the extent to which actual exposure has decreased uncertain,

2. Distrust in Handling of Personal and Biometric Information,

3. Difficulty in Monitoring as Major Sites Flee to the Long Tail,

4. Freedom of Expression and the side effect of "inclusive regulation" affecting educational and research content,
   are remaining issues. Does casting a regulatory net bring us closer to "safety" or promote "underground" activities? The cost-effectiveness evaluation is yet to come. The Guardian

Ripple Effects Abroad: "Age Assurance" Spreads in Europe and the US

Age verification legislation and implementation are advancing in France and several US states, making the UK a hub for a "large social experiment." With different legal cultures and technological environments in each country, the need for comparative evaluation of which design best balances effectiveness and rights protection is increasing. Gazeta do Povo

Future Checkpoints

• Measured Effects: How much will the actual access rate of minors decrease? (A decrease in overall traffic does not necessarily equate to a decrease in exposure). olhardigital.com.br

• Technical Governance: Misjudgment and discrimination in age estimation, data protection, and privacy-preserving designs like "disposable IDs." The Guardian

• Quality of Enforcement: The practicality and transparency of Ofcom's investigations and blocking actions. www.ofcom.org.uk

• Industry Structure: Rising compliance costs for major companies and the "escape" of long-tail sites. The Verge

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