Age-assurance systems across porn sites, social platforms, storage services, app stores and even AI chatbots capable of generating explicit material, now require you to verify users are over 18 before they can access adult content. Australia’s strict age verification laws, implemented in March for adult websites have severely impacted sex workers. Many of whom rely on online websites and tools for safety, income stability and autonomy.

Major sites, such as Pornhub, have disabled explicit content for Australians rather than comply, leading to a myriad of direct consequences for Australian sex workers.

Reduced traffic to adult platforms

Friction caused by age-verification systems typically stem from ID uploads, facial-age estimate, extras steps to watch or engage with adult content online. Many adults simply do not want to hand over their sensitive data to adult platforms, which has significantly reduced online traffic. Less traffic means less eyes on content and fewer paying customers.

Loss of Income

Age-verification requirements have decreased the number of consumers seeking and engaging with adult content, as most are not willing to provide extra personal or biometric data than already required. Anonymity for sex workers and the consumer are being stripped back bit by bit, risking their privacy and safety. This directly correlates to less income for sex workers who rely on online adult platforms as their main income source.

Higher risk of deplatforming

Over-correction instead of complying within the rules and regulations can happen when sites or platforms automatically removing adult creators, shadow ban, account suspensions or stricter adult content filters. Sex workers already disproportionate moderation, new stricter regulations may intensify that forcing them onto unregulated, dangerous sites that lack moderation safeguards.

Displacement to unsafe sites

When major regulated adult platforms enforce Australia’s age verification checks, consumers and sex workers are frequently being pushed towards alternative sites and platform. Which usually lack basic safety frameworks and policies, content moderation and data protections. Exposing visitors to scams, malware and illicit content.

Barriers to advertising and client screening

Adult content restrictions on messaging services, dating apps, social media or platforms used for advertising and marketing will reduce the tools available for them to promote their services, maintain an online presence with visibility, screen clients and share safety or industry information. This is effect will push adult creators towards less safe, less regulated spaces.

Privacy and safety concerns

While the age verification system is aimed and intended for consumers, sex workers may also be required to verify their own age to be able to post their own content. This raises serious privacy concerns such as increased exposure to data breaches, linking legal identity to sex-work accounts or profiles, increased risk of doxxing and it reduces the ability to separate your personal identity from your professional one. Mandatory verification increases the risk that sex workers’ personal data could be mishandled, leaked or misused. Sex workers’ already face the stigma from working in the industry, online anonymity is a critical protective tool to keep them safe.

Impact on independent creators and small businesses

Larger sites and platforms may absorb the cost to comply with the new rules and regulations, but smaller, niche adult sites and independent hosting services may struggle to comply and keep up. Some sites may follow Pornhub’s footprints and outright ban or block Australia users rather than implement expensive age verification systems. This can decrease the diversity of platforms available to sex workers and directly limits their ability to control their adult content and streams of income.

Australia is following a global trend towards stricter online safety regulations, similar to the efforts in the UK, EU and Singapore. As these rules and regulation evolve sex workers’ may face increased surveillance, fewer safe digital spaces, reduced autonomy over their content and more platform restrictions. While adult content sits and platform regulation are constantly changing, there are active steps you can take sex workers’ and advocates can take.

• Diversify platforms to reduce reliance on any single site
• Use VPN’s, secure storage, separate devices etc to protect your privacy
• Stay informed and up-to-date with policy changes
• Engage with advocacy groups pushing for sex-worker-inclusive digital policies
• Support industry bodies that are participating in consultations with the eSafety Commission

As the laws roll out, it is essential that sex workers’ voices are included in policy and regulation discussions. Digital safety must protect everyone, whether you’re looking for and engaging with adult content or creators. This includes the adults who rely on online adult sp