UK Pornography Traffic Falls After Identity Checks, But Virtual Private Network Usage Surges, Reports Regulator

Access to pornography platforms in the UK has fallen significantly after the introduction of mandatory age verification earlier this year, according to the country's communications watchdog. Concurrently, the use of specialist software designed to dodge these blocks has risen.

Sharp Drop in User Numbers Following Rule Implementation

The enforcement of age vetting on 25 July led to an prompt reduction in traffic to major pornography sites, including the most visited site in the UK. Figures reveals that user traffic to this site in August reached 9.8 million, a decline of 1.5 million from the same period in 2024.

Overall, traffic to the 10 most-visited pornography sites in the UK have now stabilized at a significantly reduced level than prior to the end-of-July implementation date. Later data suggests this slump in site visits persisted past August.

Surge in Virtual Private Network Usage to Bypass Checks

Reacting to the new regulations, use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)—which can circumvent geographic blocks by routing connections via another country—surged following 25 July.

Usage peaked at more than 1.4 million in mid-August, rising from around 650,000 users prior to the checks began. However, the watchdog stated that VPN usage has since fallen back, with current numbers at approximately 900,000. It added that the level of regular VPN use remains “much lower” than user numbers for pornography services.

Teenagers Taking Action to Harmful Online Content

Elsewhere, the regulator's report found that about 60% of teenagers aged 11 to 17 had acted after encountering damaging content online. Steps taken ranged from flagging the content to the platform to muting the user who shared it.

This survey was conducted before new rules took effect that compel platforms to stop children from accessing dangerous content, including material related to self-harm and adult material. The primary way teenagers encountered such content was by looking through a social media timeline, suggesting that algorithms were showing inappropriate material.

Government Announce Review of Pornography Legislation

Separately, the ministers stated it would review the legislation relating to pornography to consider whether it is adequate in the ever-developing digital age.

“The examination will investigate the efficacy of the existing law in regarding making illegal, for example, harmful depictions of familial abuse and any types of pornography which encourage the abuse of children,” stated a government official.

Campaigners Call For Tighter Digital Controls

Advocates for tighter control of online pornography have urged the authorities to outlaw so-called “barely legal” material. This includes content featuring simulated familial abuse or that appears to promote child sexual abuse by using young-looking performers portraying children.

Proposed amendments to legislation seek to:

• Ban pornography where adults are mimicking children, often filmed in environments like children’s bedrooms.
• Broaden the crime of making an exploitative portrayal of a child to cover material where an older performer plays the role of a child.
• Introduce tighter regulation on incest-themed pornography, which studies indicates is heavily recommended by site systems.
• Introduce further controls on “nudification” software, potentially making it an illegal act to own software designed to create private images without permission.
• Create a new, independent regulatory body to conduct inspections on adult platforms and respond to reports of unlawful content.

The campaigners contend that these steps would ensure the protections that have existed for years offline finally are extended to the online sphere.