As the UK’s powerful media and communications regulator, the Office of Communications—better known as Ofcom—has officially laid down a hard deadline for adult websites to introduce robust age verification systems for UK users.

Established by the Office of Communications Act 2002 and empowered through the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom serves as the government-approved authority overseeing the UK’s broadcasting, telecoms, internet, and postal sectors. With a statutory duty to protect consumers and uphold content standards, Ofcom regulates a wide range of services including TV, radio, broadband, video-sharing platforms, and wireless communications. One of its core responsibilities is ensuring that the public—particularly minors—is shielded from harmful or inappropriate material online.

In its latest move under the UK’s Online Safety Act, Ofcom announced that all pornography providers accessible from the UK must implement “highly effective” age verification processes by July 25, 2025. On April 24, the regulator issued letters to hundreds of adult sites warning them of non-compliance consequences and clarifying that the law applies even to platforms based outside the UK.

“If people are visiting your site from the UK, you’ll likely be in scope, wherever in the world you’re based,” the agency stated.

The action builds on earlier requirements directed at porn content producers who self-host, some of whom were already expected to comply earlier this year. The July deadline now puts the entire online adult sector under one enforcement umbrella.

In addition to enforcing universal age checks, Ofcom is requiring any platform that only verifies age for part of its content to complete a children’s risk assessment for remaining accessible sections. This assessment must be submitted by July 24, just one day before the compliance deadline.

Sites found to be in breach of the new requirements face significant penalties—fines of up to 10% of global annual revenue or £18 million, whichever is greater. Ofcom also signaled the possibility of escalating enforcement by seeking court orders to compel third parties like banks and internet service providers to block access to non-compliant platforms.

As part of its broader safety initiative, Ofcom is exploring the use of AI-driven facial age estimation tools to support verification processes, a move reflecting the increasing intersection between artificial intelligence and adult content regulation.

Earlier this year, the UK government also announced plans to make the country the first in the world to criminalize the creation, possession, or distribution of AI tools intended to generate child sexual abuse material (CSAM), signaling an even more aggressive stance toward digital harms involving minors.

Ofcom’s July deadline now stands as a critical compliance milestone for the global adult industry. For any site with UK traffic, there is no longer room for delay—age verification must be implemented, or the consequences will be severe.

Once a staple of America’s roadside dining scene, Hooters is now on the brink of collapse. The chain—known for its signature orange shorts, busty owl logo, and servers dubbed “Hooters Girls”—is buried under $300 million in debt and has started preparing for a possible bankruptcy filing. In early 2024, Hooters shuttered around 40 of its U.S. locations, a stark signal that its decades-long dominance in the casual dining space may be ending.

Hooters’ financial downfall mirrors a larger trend in the industry. Full-service restaurant chains like Red Lobster and TGI Friday’s have also filed for bankruptcy in the past year. Analysts point to pandemic-era losses and the inability to win over younger diners, who now favor more “adventurous” and Instagram-friendly experiences. For Hooters, which peaked at over 430 locations globally, this shift in consumer taste has proven especially difficult to overcome.

Founded in 1983 by six Florida men as a joke—incorporated on April Fools’ Day—Hooters quickly grew into a national sensation, selling chicken wings with a side of sex appeal. But today, the same formula that once drew crowds feels outdated. Experts say the brand’s reliance on “tame titillation” is out of sync with a generation raised on OnlyFans, where overt sexuality and consent awareness have reshaped expectations.

The company has made several attempts to adapt—like launching “Hoots Wings,” a more family-friendly offshoot with co-ed staff and traditional uniforms—but these efforts failed. Meanwhile, other breastaurant competitors like Twin Peaks are booming. With even more provocative uniforms and a cheeky menu that includes beers like “Dirty Blonde” and “Knotty Brunette,” Twin Peaks plans to open at least 10 new locations this year and is even preparing to go public.

While rivals expand, Hooters faces additional pressure from its legal history. The chain has repeatedly been sued for gender discrimination, weight-based firings, and racial bias. In one case, Hooters paid $275,000 to a Kentucky server who accused managers of harassment. In another, the company settled with the EEOC after a North Carolina location allegedly rehired only white and light-skinned women post-pandemic. Hooters’ legal troubles have added to its costs and tarnished its brand.

Even internal changes have backfired. A 2021 attempt to replace shorts with thong-like uniform bottoms led to viral backlash from employees on TikTok. “Love my job but don’t love wearing undies to work,” read one caption. The company quickly reversed the policy, further exposing its identity crisis.

Industry experts say the company’s biggest problem may be its refusal to pick a lane. “Hooters is Hooters,” said Jonathan Maze, editor in chief of Restaurant Business. “There is zero way that women are going to actively go into the restaurant. The logo is an owl deliberately designed to look like two breasts.”

Even downsizing may not be enough to save the company. Twin Peaks, for example, thrives in red states but has no presence in the Northeast or other liberal-leaning markets. If Hooters can’t perform in those areas, some experts say it should withdraw completely and focus on core regions—assuming it can even afford to.

The looming bankruptcy doesn’t just threaten a brand; it endangers jobs. Hooters employs more than 18,000 Hooters Girls worldwide—about 70 percent of its total staff. Some are already moving on. A Chicago strip club, Admiral Theatre, recently offered a $10,000 signing bonus for former Hooters Girls. Several have accepted the offer, citing better pay and fewer restrictions.

Ashley Williams, a former Hooters Girl, now makes up to $2,500 a night dancing at the Admiral—far more than the $150 she made serving wings. “Hooters is just too tame for today’s customers,” she said.

Halle Grogan, who worked at the Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Hooters as a teenager, described her experience as both eye-opening and traumatic. In one instance, a regular customer followed her into a restroom and exposed himself. When she reported the incident, her manager allegedly refused to remove the man, saying, “You signed up for this position. Look at what you’re wearing.” She quit days later.

Today, that same location still operates, but the parking lot is often empty.

Hooters once thrived by offering just enough sex appeal to be provocative but not explicit. Now, with culture evolving, competitors surging, and hundreds of millions in debt weighing it down, the chain is struggling to find its place—and may not survive much longer.

Byborg Enterprises SA, a global leader in premium online entertainment, proudly announces its acquisition of Cuties AI, an emerging startup in AI-driven adult entertainment. This acquisition marks another strategic step in Byborg’s mission of pioneering innovation and expanding its presence to even more immersive digital experiences.

Founded in January 2024 by a group of six skilled professionals, Cuties AI has quickly grown into a dynamic platform known for its fully AI-powered experiences. From conversations to image and video generation, every element of the platform is driven by artificial intelligence, delivering deeply personalized and interactive encounters.

The acquisition aligns with Byborg Enterprises SA’s vision to lead the next generation of digital entertainment by investing in bold, future-forward technologies. With Cuties AI now part of the Byborg portfolio, the focus will shift to scaling operations and transforming the product into a category leader on the global stage.

Cuties AI will continue to operate independently, with its founding team remaining at the helm. Based in Hungary, the company will expand its team to facilitate the product’s growth.
Strategic reporting lines will be integrated into Byborg’s structure to encourage synergy and streamline collaboration.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Cuties AI to the Byborg family,” said Karoly Papp, Co-Founder of Byborg Enterprises SA. “Their bold vision and technological innovation are a perfect fit for our mission. Together, we will redefine what’s possible in personalized digital entertainment.”

Byborg and Cutie AI’s partnership sets the stage for a new era where artificial intelligence merges with adult entertainment to create boundary-breaking, immersive experiences.

About Byborg Enterprises SA
Headquartered in Luxembourg, Byborg Enterprises SA is a privately held premium online entertainment company redefining digital interaction through cutting-edge technology. With a global reach and over 70 million daily visitors engaging with its platforms, Byborg Enterprises SA continues to innovate in the
digital entertainment landscape. Find out more at byborgenterprises.com.

About Cuties AI
Cuties AI is a next-generation adult entertainment platform harnessing the full power of artificial intelligence to deliver personalized and interactive experiences. From conversations to image and video generation, every aspect of the platform is powered by cutting-edge technology, allowing users to take full control of their digital experiences. Find more information at www.cuties.ai