The return of Pornhub
Real talk: Pornhub is officially back in Australia. The site had been dark for about eight months after the government rolled out some strict age-verification laws back in March. Those original rules required platforms to prove users were 18+, which led the site's parent company, Aylo, to pull the plug, citing major concerns over data privacy and how these systems actually handle user info.
How it works now
So, why the change? It’s giving… a loophole, but a sanctioned one. Pornhub is now using Apple’s specific age-verification process to verify that its users are adults. According to Aylo, Apple has basically set the gold standard by making devices “kid-safe” by default unless the owner manually confirms they’re an adult.
Why it matters
Aylo’s VP of brand and community, Alex Kekesi, says this is a major W because it means adults don't have to fork over their sensitive personal data to every single website they visit. It also lowkey makes it much harder to use a VPN to get around the rules. While the government’s original goal was to keep kids away from R-rated content, the tech industry has been pushing for device-based checks as the standard for a minute. For now, if you’re rocking an Apple device in Australia and you’re verified, you’re in. If not, the vibes are off.
