Adult star says Pornhub’s UK ban places us all at risk – and will result in homicide
EXCLUSIVE: Adult film star Ivy Maddox has issued a stark warning ahead of Pornhub restricting access to regulated platforms as it could push users—and workers—into dangerous territory
‘The further underground something is pushed, the more dangerous it becomes’(Image: Ivy Maddox)
An urgent warning has been issued by one of the UK’s top adult stars on the day Pornhub restricts access in the UK. In a stand against the government’s Online Safety Act, Pornhub is limiting those in the UK who can access the platform.
Last week, Aylo, the parent company of the adult content giant, confirmed that anyone who has not already registered and verified their age by today will be banned from access the platform.
And while the move could be seen as a positive one for those who push the Online Satefy Act, adult film star Ivy Maddox has issued a stark warning: restricting access to regulated platforms will only push users—and workers—into dangerous territory.
Speaking to the Daly Star, she said, drawing a chilling parallel between the digital crackdown and the Nordic model of sex work legislation: “Pornhub has so many measures to keep contributors safe. If consumers can’t access safe sites, they will go elsewhere, just how the Nordic model will force full-service sex workers into more unsafe work conditions.”
For the unaware, the Nordic model criminalises buying sex (or sexual content) while decriminalising selling it. While intended to reduce demand, critics like Maddox argue it pushes the industry underground.
To protect clients from arrest, workers are forced into hidden environments without safety screenings, increasing their exposure to violence and dangerous working conditions.
And explaining why Pornhub’s move could lead to potentially catastrophic consequences, she said: “Everyone in the videos (featured on PH) have to give consent either by filling out forms or being a registered performer and accepting a request.
“They remove content that doesn’t have consent forms or co-performers listed, and they also provide monetisation for models.”
The fear is that when these “safe harbours” become inaccessible, the demand doesn’t disappear – it simply migrates to platforms with zero accountability.
“If people aren’t able to get onto Pornhub, they will go to other sites where, best case scenario, models’ content has been leaked and they don’t make any money from it,” Maddox warned. “Or worst case scenario, the person in the video is not aware that they are online, and did not consent to be filmed at all.”
Maddox credits Pornhub for evolving from a “s***** tube site” into a platform that “backed the industry,” giving performers control over their image and income. “I WANT people to search me on Pornhub, not the other tube sites, because I have control of what people see on Pornhub,” she stated.
Her most urgent warning, however, concerns the broader implication of pushing adult industries into the shadows. She points to the real-world consequences seen in countries that have criminalized the purchase of sex under the Nordic model.
“The further underground something is pushed, the more dangerous it becomes,” she said. “Look at the Nordic model in France: within six months of it being implemented, 10 sex workers were murdered. This is currently happening in Scotland and it is terrifying.”
Maddox’s comments align with Aylo’s recent statement, which slammed the UK’s regulatory framework as a “failed system” that jeopardizes privacy and fails to protect minors.
“Aylo’s assessment is that the Online Safety Act has not achieved its intended goal,” the company stated. “This law… has made the internet more dangerous for minors and adults.”
As the February 2 deadline approaches, existing verified users will retain access, but the digital borders are closing for new visitors. For creators like Maddox, the concern isn’t just about lost traffic—it’s about the safety of an industry being forced back into the dark.
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