EU Investigates Major Porn Platforms Over Child Protection Failures

The European Union has launched investigations into four prominent adult content websites, Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos, over concerns that they have failed to implement effective age verification systems, potentially allowing minors to access adult material. The European Commission’s probe focuses on whether these platforms have adequately assessed and mitigated risks related to children’s rights and user well-being, as required under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). The Commission has expressed concerns that the current system of self-declaration is ineffective, with information indicating that these platforms lack robust age verification measures.

As “very large online platforms” (VLOPs) under the DSA, these sites are subject to stringent obligations, including conducting risk assessments, implementing mitigation measures for systemic risks, and complying with transparency requirements. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines of up to 6% of a company’s annual global turnover. The investigations are part of the EU’s broader efforts to enhance online safety and protect minors from harmful content.

The European Commission has requested detailed information from the platforms regarding their age verification mechanisms, internal organization for DSA compliance, and transparency reports. The Commission is particularly interested in understanding how these platforms handle content moderation, including the use of automated systems and human resources dedicated to content review.

This development underscores the EU’s commitment to enforcing digital safety standards and holding online platforms accountable for protecting users, especially minors, from harmful content. The outcome of these investigations could set significant precedents for the regulation of adult content platforms in the digital age.