The main adult content platforms, Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtubethey have blocked the Access to its web pages for all users in France. The measure, promoted by the matrix company Ayloresponds to The entry into force of a French regulation that requires strict verification systems age to prevent access to this type of content.
Context and closure reasons
The decision of Ay It occurs after the obligation, imposed by The French regulator Arcomthat adult websites Implement age verification mechanisms that require, for example, the use of A credit card either An identity document. France gave the platforms a period of three mESES, since March 6, to Adapt your systems to new standardswhose objective is to protect minors from exposure to pornographic content.
According to Arcom data, in FRancia access porn pages every month about 2.3 million minors, Despite the current legal prohibition. He government French, through the Vice Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digita Technologyl, Clara Chappaz, He has defended the measure stating that “Adults are free to consume pornography, but not at the expense of protecting our children“
A risk to “privacy” according to the company
Aylo, who claims to have Seven million daily visitors in Francerejects the way in which France intends to implement age verification. The company alleges that The required system has not been tested on a large scale and is a risk to privacy and user data securityexposing them to possible Hackeos either Filtrations.
In a statement, the company argues that it is “extremely in favor of the concept of age verification“, but considers that the French solution is”symbolic, useless and dangerous“, and proposes that the verification be carried out at the device or operating system level, not directly on the websites. The company also warns that the law could cause a drastic drop in traffic and Advertising incomeaffecting your business model.
Instead of its usual content, lAs websites show an informative page in which they explain their position and protest against legislation, accompanied by the image of the famous picture ‘Freedom guiding the people ‘ of Eugène Delacroixas Symbol of Defense of Freedom of Expression.
On the other hand French authorities have celebrated the decision of the platformsarguing that This reduces access juvenile to “degrading” content. The case is part of a broader regulatory trend in the European Union, where The European Commission has announced research on several platformsincluding Pornhub, for possible breaches in the protection of minors under the Digital Services Law.
The measure in France Follow the wake of what happened in several states of the United Stateswhere Ay He had already blocked access to his websites in protest of similar regulations. If the platforms do not comply with French law, they face definitive blockages and fines of up to 4% of their annual global income.
