The European Commission has issued a formal request to major digital adult content platforms Pornhub, Xvideos, and Stripchat, demanding detailed information on measures they have implemented to protect minors and prevent the spread of illegal content online. This move comes as part of the stringent regulations imposed under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
The Commission has set a deadline of July 4 for the digital adult content companies to provide details on their risk assessment and mitigation strategies aimed at safeguarding minors and curbing illegal content and gender-based violence. Specifically, the Commission has highlighted the need for details on age assurance mechanisms adopted by these pornographic platforms.
The European Commission reiterated the importance of these measures in ensuring the safety and rights of users online. The DSA, which was enforced last year, subjects these platforms to rigorous data-sharing obligations with authorities and researchers, mandatory risk management protocols, and compulsory external and independent auditing.
Failure to provide accurate, complete, or truthful information in response to the Commission’s request can lead to significant fines under the DSA.
The digital adult content market, valued at $44.8 billion in 2022, is projected to surge to $201.0 billion by 2032. This growth follows a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.4 percent between 2015 and 2021, which saw the market size reach $38.1 billion in 2021.
Following their designation as Very Large Online Platforms, Pornhub, Xvideos, and Stripchat are now required to adhere to the full range of DSA provisions. These include rigorous assessments and mitigation efforts to address risks associated with illegal and harmful content dissemination, the protection of fundamental rights, and the safeguarding of minors.
As part of their compliance efforts, these platforms submitted their initial risk assessment reports at the end of April 2024, just four months after being officially designated under the DSA. The European Commission’s latest request underscores the ongoing scrutiny and regulatory pressure these companies face in the rapidly expanding digital adult content market.
The developments mark a significant step in the European Union’s efforts to regulate online content and protect vulnerable users, particularly minors, from the potential harms associated with digital adult content.
