Porn sites start blocking Australian users ahead of March 9 age checks
Mar 6th 2026
Major adult sites have begun blocking Australian users as new eSafety codes requiring age verification for porn, extreme violence and self harm take effect on March 9, prompting privacy, enforcement and access concerns.
- RedTube, YouPorn and Tube8 showed notices blocking new registrations from Australian IP addresses.
- Parent company Aylo said it will restrict access to adult material in Australia and aims to comply while warning UK-style checks risk privacy and other harms.
- From March 9 the eSafety codes require age verification for pornography, extreme violence and self harm across platforms including AI chatbots and app stores, with fines up to $49.5 million per breach.
- Platforms choose their verification methods, which could include credit card or government ID checks, and eSafety says companies must minimise personal data collection and follow privacy laws.
- Some sites, including Pornhub, remained accessible on Friday but parent company statements indicate wider restrictions are likely before the deadline.
- Advocacy groups warn the rules could chill sex worker advertising and lead to over-filtering of sexual health information, while UNICEF and the eSafety commissioner say the rules will reduce accidental child exposure to harmful content.
- The UK rollout produced a surge in VPN downloads, highlighting a likely circumvention risk for age checks.