UK bans porn sites like Rule 34, users find a loophole

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A major website known for animated adult content has strongly criticized the UK’s new Online Safety Act, which just went into effect on July 25. 

The law is designed to protect children by forcing anyone who wants to access adult material to prove their age, either by scanning their face or uploading a government-issued ID.

Big websites like Reddit are adapting by introducing age checks for specific communities. 

But for smaller or more niche sites, like one of the top Rule 34 sites (which hosts adult animations of pretty much anything imaginable), complying with the law is too expensive and complicated. 

As a result, the site has blocked access to all UK users and posted a message calling the UK government “dumb” and the law an overreach. 

It argues that requiring ID for viewing fictional cartoons is unnecessary and risks users’ privacy. 

The site also pointed visitors to a UK petition to repeal the law, which already has over 65,000 signatures.

This isn’t an isolated case. Other adult content platforms like Pornhub, Discord, and even Reddit are now asking UK users to verify their age. 

This usually means uploading personal info like an ID, bank card, or a selfie for age estimation. 

But the effectiveness of these checks is questionable — teens often know how to bypass them using VPNs (virtual private networks), which hide their location. 

Some even use browser tools or third-party apps to avoid verification completely.

The government’s tech regulator, Ofcom, hasn’t clearly defined how platforms should enforce the rules, just that age checks must be “strong” and “effective.” 

But that leaves a lot of loopholes open. People are already looking up VPNs in large numbers, suggesting many are trying to work around the restrictions.

This law comes as part of a broader crackdown on adult content in games, too. 

Credit card companies, pushed by anti-porn groups, are restricting adult games on platforms like Steam and Itch.io.

Are you concerned that age verification laws like the UK’s will effectively protect children online? Or do you think these measures create privacy risks and are easily bypassed by the people they’re meant to restrict? Tell us below in the comments, or reach us via our Twitter or Facebook.