EU Probes Pornhub and Other Adult Sites Over Child Safety Compliance

The investigation highlights potential non-compliance of popular pornographic platforms with EU regulations aimed at protecting minors from inappropriate content, raising concerns about child safety online.

The European Commission has initiated a probe into Pornhub, Stripchat, XVideos, and XNXX, suspecting that these adult sites are not complying with the EU's online content regulations concerning child safety. The Commission has expressed concerns over the apparent absence of effective age verification measures designed to prevent minors from accessing adult material.

A spokesperson for the Commission stated that it is essential for online platforms to prioritize the rights and safety of children in the design and operation of their services. The sites in question reportedly lack "appropriate" verification processes needed to restrict access for underage users, which has prompted the investigation.

In response, Pornhub's parent company, Aylo, acknowledged the inquiry and reiterated its commitment to ensuring the protection of minors online. The company advocates for laws that enforce user security while also complying with current regulations.

The Commission's initial findings have indicated that the pornographic platforms investigated have not implemented sufficient safety measures to protect young users. They have been criticized for utilizing ineffective "click away" pop-ups that merely ask users if they are over 18, rather than ensuring a robust age-check system. This failure to assess and mitigate potential risks to minors' mental and physical well-being has drawn further scrutiny.

Globally, there is an increased focus on the regulation of online pornographic services, with various authorities aiming to ensure that adequate age verification methods are in place. In the UK, Ofcom has begun its own investigations into adult sites that apparently lack any user age-checking mechanisms.

Pornhub, recognized as the most visited adult site worldwide and ranked 19th among all websites, is under growing regulatory scrutiny. Recently, it blocked access in 16 US states due to age verification laws that were enacted, stressing that such verification should occur at the device level rather than on individual sites. This is argued to streamline the verification process while enhancing user privacy.

The platforms under the EU investigation fall under the category of very large online platforms according to the Digital Services Act (DSA) established in 2023, subjecting them to stricter obligations to combat harmful and illegal material. Should any violations of the DSA be substantiated, these platforms could face stringent enforcement actions, including financial penalties amounting to 6% of their annual revenue.

Stripchat will not retain its VLOP designation but will still be investigated for compliance with the DSA's requirements. Notably, even smaller platforms that do not surpass the 45 million EU user benchmark are expected to adhere to the child safety regulations set forth by the EU.

Henna Virkkunen, the Commission's executive vice-president for tech sovereignty, security, and democracy, emphasized the commitment to protecting minors as vital in navigating online spaces safely. Consequently, coordinated actions among EU member states will work to enforce these crucial child safety measures across all online platforms.