EU Commission Acts on Potential Breaches of Pornography Laws
European Commission Cracks Down on Pornographic Sites over Youth Protection
Brussels - Major pornographic websites, including Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos, are under investigation by the European Commission (EC) for allegedly failing to comply with youth protection regulations. The EC has initiated formal proceedings against these platforms, accusing them of insufficiently protecting minors from explicit content and inadequate age controls.
Similarly, smaller platforms with pornographic content are being targeted by member states in a coordinated effort led by the European Committee for Digital Services. The aim is to ensure that these providers also abide by the Digital Services Act (DSA) guidelines.
The DSA prioritizes the protection of young users, obliging platforms to implement measures preventing minors from accessing adult content. The EC also demands rapid removal of illegal content and user-friendly reporting mechanisms. Notably, larger services are held to stricter rules than smaller ones. The EC is currently gathering further evidence, such as through surveys.
In May, the EC published a draft for guidelines on the protection of minors. This document recommends various technical protective measures, including age verification systems and age estimates. This summer, an EU-wide age verification app is expected to be made available, enabling access controls without exposing user identities.
The EC's investigation primarily focuses on the effectiveness of age verification mechanisms. It is concerned that existing systems predominantly rely on self-declaration, which the EC believes is inadequate. The probe will also assess how these platforms address child-related risks under the DSA framework.
Sources: ntv.de, DPA
- The European Commission is advocating for stronger community policies within the Digital Services Act (DSA) guidelines, particularly emphasizing the implementation of technology-based solutions such as age verification systems in employment policy for digital platforms, to ensure children's safety and self-development in the realm of education and self-development.
- In accordance with the European Commission's recent draft for guidelines on the protection of minors, it is imperative for digital platforms, including Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos, to revise their employment policies to prioritize the integration of effective technology-based age verification mechanisms, enhancing the protection of young users and adhering to the DSA's stringent regulations.
