The European Commission has issued a preliminary ruling against adult websites Pornub , Stripchat , XNXX, and XVideos . According to the EU's main executive body, the platforms violated the Digital Services Act by failing to protect minors from exposure to pornographic content.
If such an infringement is confirmed, adult sites risk financial penalties proportionate to the infringement of up to 6% of their global annual turnover .
"Online platforms have a responsibility," said Commission Vice-President Henna Virkkunen . "Today we are taking further action to implement the DSA, ensuring that children are adequately protected online, as they are entitled to."
The investigation, launched on May 27, 2025, found that the platforms failed to diligently identify and assess risks. In their assessment, the four adult sites overemphasized commercial concerns, such as reputational damage, rather than focusing on social risks for minors. They sometimes provided misleading information and ignored the opinions of children's rights organizations. According to the Berlaymont, the measures adopted by the platforms, such as self-declarations of adulthood, page blackouts, content warnings, and "Adults Only" labels, do not effectively prevent minors from accessing harmful content.
Finally, the Commission emphasizes the need for Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos to adopt privacy-protecting age verification systems, citing the future EU app currently being tested as a reference standard. In exercising their right of defense, the platforms now have the opportunity to examine the documents contained in the investigation files and to respond in writing to the preliminary findings. In parallel, the European Digital Services Board will be consulted.
(Unioneonline/ns)