Several adult websites, including RedTube, YouPorn, and Tube8, have begun blocking users in Australia as a new age verification code takes effect from Monday. The sites display notices stating they are 'not currently accepting new account registrations in your region' when accessed from Australian IP addresses.
The Australian online safety regulator has warned that platforms failing to comply with the codes could face fines of up to $49.5 million per breach. The parent company of the restricted sites, Aylo, confirmed it would comply with the law, including on its flagship site Pornhub, which remained accessible on Friday but is expected to restrict access soon.
The eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, welcomed the introduction of the codes, comparing them to safeguards in physical spaces. However, sex worker advocacy group Scarlet Alliance warned the requirements could have a 'chilling effect' on platforms hosting adult content and lead to over-filtering of sexual health information.
Unicef Australia's head of digital policy, John Livingstone, said the codes would help prevent accidental exposure to harmful content. The method of age verification is left to platforms, potentially including credit card or government ID checks, with a requirement to minimise personal information collection.
Similar measures in the UK led to a surge in VPN downloads, which could bypass the checks. The eSafety commissioner has urged companies to comply with privacy laws, but no additional restrictions on personal data collection have been imposed.
