The Global Pornhub Blackout 2026: Complete List of Blocked Countries and States

The digital landscape of 2026 has seen a seismic shift in how the world accesses adult content. What began as a series of localized legislative attempts to enforce age verification has snowballed into a global “blackout.” As of February 2026, millions of users across the United Kingdom, nearly half of the United States, and several European nations find themselves staring at a digital wall.

This isn’t just about censorship; it’s a high-stakes battle between Pornhub’s parent company, Aylo (formerly MindGeek), and governments demanding invasive ID checks. Following the catastrophic ShinyHunters data breach in December 2025, which exposed the viewing habits of 200 million users, the debate over privacy vs. protection has reached a breaking point.

In this guide, we break down exactly where Pornhub is blocked as of February 2026, the laws causing the blackout, and the most secure ways to regain access.

1. The UK Blackout: What Happened on February 2, 2026?

On February 2, 2026, the United Kingdom officially joined the list of restricted zones. In response to the Online Safety Act (OSA), Aylo pulled the plug on new registrations across the UK.

While users who verified their age prior to the deadline retain access through existing accounts, all new visitors are now met with a “wall” explaining that the platform will no longer participate in a “failed system”. 

Aylo reported that traffic in the UK had already plummeted by 77% since the OSA’s initial implementation in mid-2025, as users migrated to unregulated, less secure “pirate” sites to avoid uploading their government IDs.

2. The United States: A Fragmented Union

In the US, the absence of federal age-verification legislation has created a “checkerboard” internet. As of early 2026, Aylo has implemented a protest block in 24 states. The company argues that state laws requiring platforms to collect and store sensitive ID data create an “unacceptable security risk”.

The only exception to this trend is Louisiana, where the “LA Wallet” app provided a sufficiently secure and private method that Aylo agreed to support. Meanwhile, in states like Texas, legal battles continue to rage as Attorney General Ken Paxton seeks millions in penalties from platforms that refuse to implement these “haphazard” verification systems.

The Master List: U.S. States and Global Blocks (Early 2026)

The following table tracks the status of Pornhub and Aylo platforms (including YouPorn and Redtube) across the most restricted jurisdictions as of February 2026.

3. The ShinyHunters Hack: Why Privacy Matters

In December 2025, the hacker group ShinyHunters claimed to have breached the analytics provider Mixpanel, stealing approximately 201 million records belonging to Pornhub Premium users.

This breach exposed email addresses, IP-based locations, and—most damagingly detailed viewing histories and search queries. Aylo has used this incident as a primary argument against government-mandated age verification.

They claim that if hackers can already access intimate browsing habits, requiring users to link those habits to their real-world identities via a passport or driver’s license would create an “unprecedented blackmail and doxing list”.

4. Traditional Censorship: The Rest of the World

Beyond the recent legal battles in the West, Pornhub remains blocked in numerous countries for religious, cultural, or political reasons. These are typically enforced at the ISP (Internet Service Provider) level:

• China: Blocked by the “Great Firewall” since 2013.
• India: Frequent bans by the Department of Telecommunications; access is spotty and depends on the ISP.
• Philippines: Blocked since 2017 under the Anti-Child Pornography Act.
• Middle East: Outright bans exist in Saudi Arabia, Iran, UAE, Turkey, and Pakistan.
• Other Regions: Indonesia, Thailand, South Korea, and Vietnam all maintain various levels of national blocks.

5. How to Unblock Pornhub Safely in 2026

With the rise of “Blackout Zones,” Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have become the essential tool for internet freedom. In the UK, VPN usage doubled to over 1.4 million users within weeks of the age-verification deadline.

A VPN allows you to mask your real IP address and “tunnel” your connection through a server in a state or country where Pornhub is not blocked (such as New York, Canada, or Ireland).

Top VPN Recommendations for 2026

1. NordVPN: The gold standard for 2026. Features “NordWhisper” obfuscation to hide VPN use and lightning-fast speeds for 4K streaming. Currently 70% off.
2. SurfShark: Best for budget-conscious users and large households. Offers unlimited simultaneous connections and a “Camouflage Mode” to bypass strict ISP filters.
3. Proton VPN: Swiss-based privacy giant. Highly recommended for those worried about data breaches, as it features a strict, audited no-logs policy and “Secure Core” architecture.
4. ExpressVPN: Known for “Lightway” protocol which ensures zero buffering, even when connecting from highly restricted regions like China or the Middle East.

6. Conclusion: The Future of the Internet

As we move further into 2026, the battle over age verification shows no signs of slowing down. Aylo is currently pushing for device-based verification, where Apple, Google, and Microsoft would handle age checks at the OS level, eliminating the need for individual websites to store sensitive data.

Until a global standard is reached, the “Blackout” will likely expand. For adults in restricted regions, a reputable VPN remains the only way to ensure both access and personal privacy in an increasingly monitored digital world.

Similar article: How to Unblock Pornhub in 2026 (Anywhere, Without ID Checks), How to Unblock xHamster and XVideos in 2026 (Quick, Free & Safe)

Petr

I'm Petr, and the online world has been my playground for more than 25 years. I've been working in IT since 2005, moving through development, project management, and eventually building my own services and online businesses. I create websites, launch projects, test new tools, figure out what actually works and what doesn’t, and share practical tips that save people time, money, and stress. I’ve also been actively investing since 2016. I enjoy digging into the markets, trying different platforms, and looking for long term opportunities that make real sense. For me, investing naturally fits into everything I already do online: analyzing, testing, learning, and optimizing. On this site, you’ll find straightforward articles, honest insights, and a bit of humor or irony here and there. When I’m not at the keyboard, I’m usually out on a bike trail or checking out a new golf course. And when I’m not doing that, I’m somewhere on the road with my wife and our two sons.

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