The European Commission has taken a firm stance on adult content companies, including Pornhub, Stripchat, and XVideos, by requiring them to carry out risk assessment reports and implement measures to address systemic risks associated with their services. These companies were designated as ‘very large online platforms’ under the Digital Services Act (DSA) last December, which mandates stricter regulations for removing illegal and harmful content.
Both Pornhub and Stripchat have been given deadlines to comply with the DSA obligations, with XVideos following suit shortly after. The European Commission stated that these companies must submit risk assessment reports and put in place mitigation measures to address risks linked to their services.
In addition to these requirements, the adult content companies will also need to meet transparency obligations related to ads and provide access to data for researchers. Failure to comply with the DSA could result in fines of up to 6% of their global annual turnover.
The EU’s decision to crack down on these adult websites comes after they were added to a list of online platforms subject to tougher safety regulations. These platforms are now required to analyze threats to European rights and safety posed by their content and promptly remove any illicit material. They must also report serious criminal offenses to legal authorities.
Overall, the European Commission’s actions aim to ensure that adult content companies operate responsibly and prioritize the safety and well-being of their users.