Watching porn can not only affect your private life, but it can also land you in legal trouble!
In some countries of the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Europe there are places where porn is banned and restricted. So, if you don’t know countries where is porn illegal you will put yourself at risk.
34 Countries Where Porn Is Illegal to watch in 2025
When we look at where is porn illegal, we find that child pornography is illegal across the globe with severe legal consequences.
Countries also follow different levels of enforcement and regulation for pornographic content. There are also differences in the criminalization of possession v/s distribution of consensual porn across the globe.
Here is a list of 34 Countries where is porn illegal or countries that banned porn in terms of possession and distribution –
Afghanistan | Indonesia | Mauritania | Syria |
Algeria | Iran | Nepal | Thailand |
Bangladesh | Iraq | North Korea | Tunisia |
Brunei | Jordan | Oman | Turkmenistan |
China | Kuwait | Pakistan | United Arab Emirates |
Cuba | Lebanon | Qatar | Uzbekistan |
Eritrea | Libya | Saudi Arabia | Yemen |
Ethiopia | Malaysia | Somali | |
India | Maldives | Sudan |
Distinction between possession and distribution
When you want to know about countries where is porn banned, you need to understand the difference between possession and distribution. Because even in countries where is porn illegal, there are different legal consequences for possession vs distribution.
Child pornography is universally illegal in terms of possession and distribution. For other forms of porn, there are different regulations for production, possession, and distribution.
In countries such as Japan, India, and South Korea, the production and commercial distribution of obscene material is illegal. However, possession for private consumption is legal.
Western democracies also draw a clear distinction by criminalizing or regulating commercial distribution and protecting possession for private viewing of porn.
Countries with the Most Restrictive Internet and Pornography Laws
When you look at countries that banned porn, you will find that many countries have severely restrictive pornography laws. These laws include banning of pornographic content and harsh penalties and imprisonment for violations.
Here is a closer look at countries where is porn illegal and have restrictive internet pornography laws –
Country | Internet Pornography Laws |
---|---|
China | All pornographic content is strictly illegal and blocked. Harsh penalties, including imprisonment for distribution or possession. Major tech platforms monitor and report violations. Use of VPNs to access porn is also criminalized. |
Iran | Pornography is banned under Islamic law. Possession or distribution can lead to imprisonment or flogging. The Internet is filtered via the National Information Network. Foreign media consumption is criminally prosecuted. |
North Korea | Complete ban on all foreign media, including pornography. Severe punishment including forced labor or execution. Only state-approved content allowed on the intranet. Illegal media is often smuggled via USBs and severely punished. |
Saudi Arabia | All forms of pornography are banned. Online content is heavily filtered and censored. Religious police monitor online behavior. Cybercrime law used to prosecute offenders. |
Pakistan | All forms of pornography are banned. Online content is heavily filtered and censored. Religious police monitor online behavior. Cybercrime law is used to prosecute offenders. |
UAE | Pornography is considered a cybercrime. Accessing or distributing porn can lead to jail time and fines. Devices can be searched at borders for explicit content. Moral laws enforced under Sharia principles. |
Turkmenistan | Internet access is tightly controlled. Pornography is completely banned and heavily monitored. State-run ISP blocks all undesirable content. Independent browsing is nearly impossible without risk. |
Bangladesh | Porn sites are banned and access is restricted. Authorities often conduct crackdowns on online content. Mobile providers are required to filter content. Repeated offenders face jail and media shaming. |
India | Access to porn is restricted; several websites banned. Watching is not illegal, but distribution is punishable. Courts periodically order mass website bans. |
Indonesia | Pornography is illegal under the anti-pornography law. Thousands of websites are blocked, with strict enforcement. Citizens can report violators through apps.Artistic content is sometimes mistakenly censored. |

Should Pornography be censored, regulated, or made Illegal?
When we review places where porn is banned and Countries where is porn illegal, we find different approaches to the regulation of pornography.
Each of these approaches comes with benefits and challenges. The cultural context is also a major influence over censorship, regulation, and banning of pornography.
Censorship
Censoring Porn refers to selective blocking of certain types of pornographic content.
Advantages of Censorship | Challenges of Censorship |
---|---|
Protects children and minors from exposure to explicit contentHelps prevent the spread of harmful or illegal content (e.g., child abuse material)Limits exposure to potentially violent or degrading contentReduces risk of addiction, desensitization, and related mental health issues | Difficult to enforce consistently across borders and platformsCan lead to over- blocking and accidental censorship of legal contentMay drive users to access content through illegal or unsafe meansRequires significant resources and technical infrastructure |
Regulation
Regulating porn involves measures that control the distribution of pornography and restrict access with age verification laws.
Advantages of Regulation | Challenges of Regulation |
---|---|
Prevents minors from accessing pornography through mandatory age verification systems.Balances freedom of expression with protection from harmProvides legal scope to address unethical practices (e.g., non-consensual content)Reduces the spread of illegal content such as child porn | Difficult to enforce, especially across decentralized online platforms.Fails to address deeper issues like addiction or objectification.Needs robust legal infrastructure and constant updates to keep pace with technology.Uniform regulation across cultures and regions is challenging. |
Making Porn Illegal
When a country completely bans all kinds of possession and distribution of pornography, it makes porn an illegal activity.
Advantages of Making Porn Illegal | Challenges of Making Porn Illegal |
---|---|
Protect minors from accidental or intentional exposure.Prevents crimes associated with the production and distribution of child pornography or revenge porn.Law enforcement can take stronger action against exploitative pornography practices.May help to curb addiction and compulsive viewing behaviors | Might create unregulated and potentially more dangerous black markets for porn.Volume, speed, and anonymity of online content make it harder to enforce.Prevent access to educational, sex-positive content that promotes healthy sexuality.Laws against pornography can be used selectively or unfairly |
Block Porn with BlockP Now
When you are online, there is always a risk of accidental exposure to porn. BlockP is the best porn blocker to keep you safe from all types of pornographic content across your devices.
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The porn blocker works in incognito mode also and has password protection to prevent unblocking/uninstall. BlockP lets you block access to specific adult websites and whitelist only the websites you need for unrestricted access.
Here are the simple steps to block porn with BlockP –
- Navigate to the BlockP website or Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS), and download and install the BlockP App.
- Install and open the BlockP App or extension. Enable pornographic content blocking and set up a password to prevent uninstalling.
- Check if the porn blocker is working by visiting an adult website or searching for adult content.
FAQ on Countries where porn is illegal
1. Is porn legal in Thailand?
Pornography is illegal in Thailand. It prohibits the production and distribution of pornographic material under strict obscenity laws and criminal code.
2. Is porn legal in china?
Pornography is illegal in China. Possession, distribution, or even the use of suggestive material leads to heavy fines and imprisonment.
3. Is porn legal in USA?
Pornographic content is legal in the USA for adults under the First Amendment rights. However, the country regulates the distribution of pornography under obscenity laws and strictly prohibits child pornography.
4. Is making porn illegal?
The legality of making porn differs from country to country. In countries such as the USA, Germany, Netherlands etc, making porn is regulated but legal. In countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iran, making porn is illegal and punishable.
5. Is porn banned in japan?
Porn is not banned in Japan, but there are prohibitions on the display of genitalia. So, pornographic scenes are pixelated or censored. Child pornography is banned in Japan.
6. Is porn legal in russia?
Russia allows personal consumption of pornography but restricts access to certain adult websites under morality laws. It also restricts the unlicensed distribution of porn or the distribution of porn that involves exploitation.
7. Is porn legal in Israel?
Yes. Adults can legally produce and access pornography in Israel. However, the distribution of illegal pornographic content, such as child pornography, is a criminal offense.