EU Commission Requests Details on Child Protection Measures from Major Porn Sites
The European Commission has ordered three large pornographic websites to disclose information on their child protection policies and efforts to combat gender-based violence. Pornhub, XVideos, and Stripchat, which are designated as "very large online platforms," must comply with the order by July 4 or face possible fines. The EU wants to ensure that viewers are not underage and is interested in the platforms' internal organisation in order to comply with the Digital Services Act.
The request, made under the Digital Services Act (DSA), is intended to safeguard the safety of internet users. The targeted sites include Pornhub, XVideos, and Stripchat, all of which are categorised as "very large online platforms" because to their massive user bases of 45 million monthly users each. Failure to comply with the requirement by July 4 may result in sanctions for the companies.
In a statement, the European Commission underlined the importance of specific information on the platforms' efforts to assess and mitigate threats to minors' online safety, as well as their steps to prevent the spread of unlawful content and gender-based violence. The EU is particularly interested in understanding the protections in place to verify viewers' ages, as many pornographic platforms just demand confirmation that they are 18 or older to obtain access.
Furthermore, the Commission is looking for information on how the companies have changed their internal structures to comply with the DSA. The legislation requires that designated extremely big online platforms organise autonomous and well-resourced internal teams with adequate authority, resources, and access to the management body.
Pornhub has previously disputed its designation as a very big online platform under the DSA, claiming instead to have 33 million average monthly users. However, the Commission's request remains applicable to the site.
This initiative by the EU follows similar attempts by France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and select US states like as Utah and Texas, which have enacted legislation mandating pornographic websites to check users' ages. Several approaches have been offered, including credit card checks, government-issued ID verification, and facial recognition technology. Concerns about privacy and prejudice have been highlighted in respect to these verification methods.
The Digital Services Act also seeks to combat the spread of illicit materials online, including child sexual abuse material and stuff that infringes fundamental rights like privacy, such as nonconsensual photos or deepfake pornography.
The European Commission has asked three major porn sites to provide details on their child protection measures and efforts to prevent gender-based violence.
Pornhub, XVideos, and Stripchat, classified as "very large online platforms," must comply with the request by July 4 or face potential fines.
The EU wants to ensure that viewers are not underage and is interested in the platforms' internal organisation to comply with the Digital Services Act.
Source: AP NEWS