Adult Websites
The European Union’s groundbreaking Digital Services Act, which mandates stringent measures, including age verification, for major online platforms, is now facing legal opposition from Pornhub, Xvideos, and Stripchat.
Designated as “very large online platforms” by the European Commission, these adult websites are contesting the classification under the legislation.
Introduced last year, the Digital Services Act targets platforms with over 45 million monthly users. Among the 22 platforms identified by Brussels, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X are also subject to the regulations, which encompass age verification protocols and the creation of an advertising repository on the platforms.
Companies failing to comply with these rules could face penalties of up to 6% of their global sales. However, Pornhub’s parent company, Aylo, argues that the EU Commission has inaccurately classified the website, as it attracts approximately 32 million visitors, falling below the designated threshold.
In a statement provided to multiple media outlets, Aylo expressed its disagreement with the calculation of user numbers by the European Commission and deemed the requirement for a publicly accessible advertising repository as illegal.
The legal challenge from Pornhub, Xvideos, and Stripchat adds to similar actions taken by German online fashion retailer Zalando and Amazon, both asserting that they do not meet the criteria outlined for a “very large online platform” as per the Digital Services Act.
This legal contest reflects a broader industry pushback against the implications of the Digital Services Act, signaling the contentious nature of the legislation and its potential impact on major online platforms operating within the EU.
