U.K. media regulator Ofcom has launched investigations into 20 additional pornography websites as part of its expanding Online Safety Act enforcement program, aimed at ensuring adult platforms implement “highly effective” age verification systems to protect minors.

In a statement published Thursday, Ofcom said it is investigating five providers that collectively operate the 20 sites. These include:

• HQPorner
• Porntrex
• Fapello
• XXBrits
• Sun Social Media
  The company behind Playvids.com and Peekvids.com

The agency cited a significant rise in traffic to these sites since major adult platforms like Pornhub began complying with the Online Safety Act (OSA) last summer.

“We have prioritized action against these companies based on the risk of harm posed by the services they operate,” Ofcom said in its release. “We have taken particular account of their user numbers, including where we have seen significant increases since age-check laws came into force.”

The surge in traffic to noncompliant sites has long been anticipated by digital policy analysts, who warned that regulations penalizing compliant platforms could inadvertently benefit unregulated competitors. The trend has been confirmed by reports of declining traffic to major sites and increased usage of alternate platforms with lax or no age-check systems.

The announcement also included updates on ongoing cases. Among the developments:

Itai Tech Ltd., operator of the controversial “nudification” site Undress.cc, was fined £55,000 — £50,000 for failing to implement effective age assurance, and £5,000 for failing to comply with a formal information request.

Ofcom issued provisional enforcement notices to:

• 8579 LLC
• Kick Online Entertainment S.A.

Both providers now have the opportunity to respond before final decisions are issued.

Investigations have been expanded into Cyberitic LLC and the operator of xgroovy.com, focusing on their lack of cooperation with Ofcom’s statutory requests.

An earlier case against Trendio Ltd. was closed after the company demonstrated “good faith” efforts toward compliance.

These additions bring the total number of sites and apps currently under investigation by Ofcom under the OSA to 76.

Suzanne Cater, Ofcom’s Director of Enforcement, reiterated the agency’s strict stance:

“The use of highly effective age assurance to protect children from harmful pornographic content is non-negotiable and we will accept no excuses for failure,” she said.

“Any service which fails to meet their age-check duties under the Online Safety Act can expect to face robust enforcement action, including significant fines.”

The Online Safety Act, passed in 2023, mandates that all adult sites accessible in the UK must verify users’ ages through approved measures such as age estimation or verification software, and provide timely responses to formal regulatory requests. Failure to comply can lead to fines, service restrictions, or ISP-level blocks.

With Ofcom expanding its investigations and signaling no tolerance for noncompliance, the UK’s digital adult entertainment landscape faces continued regulatory scrutiny, especially for those seeking to sidestep new legal standards.