The European Commission (EC) has initiated investigations into four major adult content websites: Pornhub , Stripchat , XNXX and XVideos , a report has said, adding that the inquiries stem from concerns regarding these platforms' adherence to online minor protection standards.
News agency Reuters reports that the probe is being conducted under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates how technology companies regulate online content to enhance safety for European citizens.
"The online space should be a safe environment for children to learn and connect. Our priority is to protect minors and allow them to navigate safely online," said European Union (EU) Tech Chief Henna Virkkunen.
The Commission's probes are based on an analysis of internal company data and responses to official information requests. The Commission asserts that the current measures implemented by these platforms are insufficient to mitigate risks to minors. Specific deficiencies include inadequate age verification systems and a lack of proportionate measures to ensure high levels of privacy, safety and security for underage users.
EU countries to take actions against other smaller porn websites
At the same time, EU member states have launched coordinated enforcement actions against smaller pornographic platforms under their national jurisdictions, aiming for consistent DSA application across the bloc.
Non-compliance with the DSA could result in interim measures or significant fines for the platforms, potentially reaching up to 6% of their global turnover.
Global regulatory bodies have faced challenges in policing user-generated content sites, which often host harmful and illegal material. Pornographic websites have proven particularly difficult to regulate. A Commission official, when questioned about potential censorship accusations, stated that the investigations are "agnostic to the content" and solely focused on ensuring platform compliance with existing regulations.
In a related development, Brussels is developing an EU-wide age-verification application.
News agency Reuters reports that the probe is being conducted under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates how technology companies regulate online content to enhance safety for European citizens.
"The online space should be a safe environment for children to learn and connect. Our priority is to protect minors and allow them to navigate safely online," said European Union (EU) Tech Chief Henna Virkkunen.
The Commission's probes are based on an analysis of internal company data and responses to official information requests. The Commission asserts that the current measures implemented by these platforms are insufficient to mitigate risks to minors. Specific deficiencies include inadequate age verification systems and a lack of proportionate measures to ensure high levels of privacy, safety and security for underage users.
EU countries to take actions against other smaller porn websites
At the same time, EU member states have launched coordinated enforcement actions against smaller pornographic platforms under their national jurisdictions, aiming for consistent DSA application across the bloc.
Non-compliance with the DSA could result in interim measures or significant fines for the platforms, potentially reaching up to 6% of their global turnover.
Global regulatory bodies have faced challenges in policing user-generated content sites, which often host harmful and illegal material. Pornographic websites have proven particularly difficult to regulate. A Commission official, when questioned about potential censorship accusations, stated that the investigations are "agnostic to the content" and solely focused on ensuring platform compliance with existing regulations.
In a related development, Brussels is developing an EU-wide age-verification application.
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