The European Union is utilizing its recently implemented regulations for major online platforms to tighten control over explicit content sites like Pornhub, Stripchat, and XVideos.
The European Commission, the executive body of the EU, revealed on Wednesday that these sites have been added to the list of “very large online platforms” (VLOPs).
This categorization subjects them to more stringent standards, including age verification, content moderation, and transparency, as outlined in the Digital Services Act.
European Commissioner Thierry Breton emphasized the importance of creating a safer online environment for children while announcing the inclusion of the three platforms.
The commission, following an investigation, found that each of these platforms had a minimum of 45 million average monthly users in the EU, meeting the VLOP threshold.
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Pornhub responded by stating that, in the six months leading up to July, it had an average of 33 million monthly users in the EU.
The commission, however, asserted that Pornhub met the higher threshold based on its investigation, which included information from third-party sources like search engines.
Stripchat did not provide a comment in response to CNN’s inquiry, and XVideos could not be reached for comment.
The three sites now have four months to adhere to VLOP rules, in addition to general obligations applicable to most online platforms, by February 17.
The new designation mandates that Pornhub, Stripchat, and XVideos implement measures to prevent the dissemination of sexual content without participants’ consent and combat “deepfake” pornography.
Age verification tools must be employed to prevent minors from accessing their content, and the platforms are obligated to report potential criminal offenses, including child sexual abuse, to law enforcement.
The sites must undergo external audits of their compliance with the new law and publish transparency reports on content moderation decisions and risk management every six months.
Failure to comply with the Digital Services Act could result in fines of up to 6% of their annual global revenue.
In recent weeks, the European Commission has used the new law to request information from TikTok, X, and Meta (Facebook’s parent company) about the measures taken to protect users from illegal content and disinformation.
Additionally, a formal investigation has been initiated into X, covering topics from its handling of content related to the Israel-Hamas war to a new paid verification system introduced by owner Elon Musk.
Europe Targets Pornhub And Other Adult Sites With New Online Content Law, Europe Targets Pornhub And Other Adult Sites With New Online Content Law
