British Pornography Traffic Falls After Identity Checks, But Virtual Private Network Usage Spikes, Reports Watchdog
Traffic to adult content platforms in the United Kingdom has seen a notable drop after the introduction of age-checking measures this summer, according to the country's communications regulator. Simultaneously, the adoption of specialist software designed to dodge these blocks has increased.
Sharp Fall in User Numbers Following Law Enforcement
The introduction of age verification on 25 July led to an prompt reduction in visits to major online adult platforms, such as the most visited provider in the UK. Figures reveals that user traffic to this platform in August stood at 9.8 million, a decrease of 1.5 million from the equivalent month in 2024.
Overall, traffic to the 10 most-visited pornography sites in the UK have now settled at a markedly decreased volume than prior to the late July deadline. Later data suggests this slump in viewing persisted beyond August.
Surge in VPN Usage to Bypass Checks
Reacting to the new regulations, use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)—which can get around geographic blocks by masking connections through another country—increased dramatically after 25 July.
User numbers peaked at over 1.4 million in mid-August, rising from approximately 650,000 users prior to the checks began. However, the watchdog noted that VPN usage has afterwards steadily declined, with current numbers standing at approximately 900,000. It added that the level of regular VPN use remains “much lower” than user numbers for pornography sites.
Young People Taking Action to Harmful Material
In other findings, the watchdog's report revealed that about 60% of teenagers aged 11 to 17 had taken action after seeing harmful content online. Actions included flagging the material to the site to blocking the user who posted it.
This research was conducted prior to new regulations came into force that compel social media companies to prevent children from accessing dangerous content, such as material related to self-harm and adult material. The primary way teenagers came across such content was by scrolling through a social media feed, suggesting that recommendation systems were showing inappropriate material.
Ministers Launch Examination of Pornography Laws
In a related development, the government announced it would examine the criminal law relating to pornography to consider whether it is adequate in the ever-developing digital age.
“The examination will investigate the effectiveness of the existing law in relation to making illegal, for example, damaging portrayals of incest and any forms of pornography which promote the abuse of children,” said a government official.
Advocates Push For Tighter Digital Regulations
Advocates for tighter control of online pornography have called on the authorities to outlaw so-called “barely legal” material. This encompasses content featuring incest scenes or that encourages abuse by casting young-looking performers dressed as children.
Proposed changes to government bills seek to:
- Prohibit pornography where performers are impersonating children, sometimes recorded in settings like children’s bedrooms.
- Broaden the crime of creating an indecent image of a child to include material where an adult acts the part of a child.
- Apply stricter controls on familial abuse pornography, which research indicates is heavily recommended by platform algorithms.
- Introduce additional controls on “nudification” technology, potentially making it an illegal act to possess tools designed to generate non-consensual nude images.
- Establish a new, independent regulatory body to perform spot checks on pornography sites and act on complaints of illegal content.
The campaigners argue that these steps would ensure the safeguards that have existed for years in the physical world finally apply to the digital age.
