🔗 Share this article British Pornography Traffic Declines Following Identity Verifications, But Virtual Private Network Usage Surges, Reports Watchdog Traffic to adult content sites in the United Kingdom has seen a notable drop after the roll-out of age-checking measures this summer, as reported by the nation's communications authority. Simultaneously, the adoption of tools designed to dodge these barriers has increased. Sharp Drop in User Figures After Law Implementation The introduction of age verification on 25 July caused an immediate decline in traffic to major pornography sites, such as the top site in the UK. Data shows that user traffic to this platform in August reached 9.8 million, a decline of 1.5 million from the same period in 2024. Overall, visitor numbers to the 10 most-visited adult services in the UK have now settled at a markedly decreased volume than before the end-of-July deadline. Subsequent analysis indicates this decline in viewing persisted beyond August. Surge in VPN Adoption to Bypass Restrictions Reacting to the new rules, adoption of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)—which can get around geographic blocks by masking connections via another country—more than doubled following 25 July. Usage peaked at over 1.4 million in mid-August, rising from around 650,000 users before the verification began. However, the watchdog noted that VPN usage has since steadily declined, with latest numbers at approximately 900,000. It clarified that the level of regular VPN use remains “much lower” than user numbers for adult sites. Young People Responding to Harmful Online Content In other findings, the regulator's annual study found that about 60% of teenagers aged 11 to 17 had acted after encountering harmful content online. Steps taken included flagging the content to the site to blocking the user who shared it. This survey was carried out before new rules came into force that compel platforms to stop children from seeing harmful content, including material related to self-harm and pornography. The primary way teenagers came across such content was by looking through a platform feed, suggesting that algorithms were serving harmful material. Ministers Launch Review of Adult Content Legislation Separately, the government stated it would examine the criminal law governing pornography to assess whether it is adequate in the ever-developing online world. “The review will look into the efficacy of the existing law in relation to criminalising, among other things, harmful depictions of incest and any types of pornography which promote the abuse of children,” stated a government official. Campaigners Push For Tighter Online Controls Advocates for tighter regulation of online pornography have called on the authorities to outlaw so-called “barely legal” material. This encompasses content featuring incest scenes or that appears to promote abuse by casting youthful performers dressed as children. Suggested amendments to government bills aim to: Prohibit pornography where adults are mimicking children, often filmed in settings like children’s bedrooms. Extend the crime of making an indecent image of a child to cover material where an adult plays the role of a child. Apply tighter regulation on familial abuse pornography, which studies indicates is heavily recommended by site systems. Add additional restrictions on “nudification” technology, potentially making it an illegal act to possess software designed to generate non-consensual nude images. Establish a new, independent oversight agency to perform spot checks on adult platforms and act on complaints of unlawful content. The campaigners argue that these measures would ensure the protections that have been enforced for decades offline finally apply to the digital age.
Traffic to adult content sites in the United Kingdom has seen a notable drop after the roll-out of age-checking measures this summer, as reported by the nation's communications authority. Simultaneously, the adoption of tools designed to dodge these barriers has increased. Sharp Drop in User Figures After Law Implementation The introduction of age verification on 25 July caused an immediate decline in traffic to major pornography sites, such as the top site in the UK. Data shows that user traffic to this platform in August reached 9.8 million, a decline of 1.5 million from the same period in 2024. Overall, visitor numbers to the 10 most-visited adult services in the UK have now settled at a markedly decreased volume than before the end-of-July deadline. Subsequent analysis indicates this decline in viewing persisted beyond August. Surge in VPN Adoption to Bypass Restrictions Reacting to the new rules, adoption of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)—which can get around geographic blocks by masking connections via another country—more than doubled following 25 July. Usage peaked at over 1.4 million in mid-August, rising from around 650,000 users before the verification began. However, the watchdog noted that VPN usage has since steadily declined, with latest numbers at approximately 900,000. It clarified that the level of regular VPN use remains “much lower” than user numbers for adult sites. Young People Responding to Harmful Online Content In other findings, the regulator's annual study found that about 60% of teenagers aged 11 to 17 had acted after encountering harmful content online. Steps taken included flagging the content to the site to blocking the user who shared it. This survey was carried out before new rules came into force that compel platforms to stop children from seeing harmful content, including material related to self-harm and pornography. The primary way teenagers came across such content was by looking through a platform feed, suggesting that algorithms were serving harmful material. Ministers Launch Review of Adult Content Legislation Separately, the government stated it would examine the criminal law governing pornography to assess whether it is adequate in the ever-developing online world. “The review will look into the efficacy of the existing law in relation to criminalising, among other things, harmful depictions of incest and any types of pornography which promote the abuse of children,” stated a government official. Campaigners Push For Tighter Online Controls Advocates for tighter regulation of online pornography have called on the authorities to outlaw so-called “barely legal” material. This encompasses content featuring incest scenes or that appears to promote abuse by casting youthful performers dressed as children. Suggested amendments to government bills aim to: Prohibit pornography where adults are mimicking children, often filmed in settings like children’s bedrooms. Extend the crime of making an indecent image of a child to cover material where an adult plays the role of a child. Apply tighter regulation on familial abuse pornography, which studies indicates is heavily recommended by site systems. Add additional restrictions on “nudification” technology, potentially making it an illegal act to possess software designed to generate non-consensual nude images. Establish a new, independent oversight agency to perform spot checks on adult platforms and act on complaints of unlawful content. The campaigners argue that these measures would ensure the protections that have been enforced for decades offline finally apply to the digital age.