French pornography websites rally in opposition to stringent regulations
Pornhub and YouPorn Pull Out of France: A Clash Over Age Verification
Wednesday afternoon saw a sudden shift for French digital viewers as Pornhub and YouPorn abruptly ceased the distribution of their adult content. This move impacts a staggering 7 million daily users within France. Instead of explicit content, spectators are now greeted with images emblematic of France - from the "Marianne" figure to Delacroix's celebrated painting, "Liberty Leading the People."
Aurore Bergé, Minister for Gender Equality and a prominent advocate in the anti-porn battlefield, gave a triumphant tweet, "Good riddance!"** expressing relief that children would have lesser access to violent, degrading, and humiliating adult content.
The decision to halt operations was announced by Aylo, the parent company of the infamous porn sites along with RedTube. Aylo Vice-President, Alex Kekesi, explained that the company had made the tough decision to suspend access to their sites, using their platforms to address the French public directly.
The reason behind this abrupt withdrawal is a French law from 2024, which obliges adult site editors to establish an effective age verification system. The Arcom, France's digital and audiovisual authority, will enforce hefty fines or even block channels if these regulations are not adhered to. The sites must request users to submit a photo or part of an ID document, employing a method that confirms their age without exposing their identity. However, Aylo considers these norms as "unreasonable, disproportionate, and ineffective."
Child protection associations in France have long argued for age verification systems, given that 2.3 million minors, according to Arcom, visit porn sites. Clara Chappaz, Minister delegated for Digital and AI, supports these measures as they safeguard the youth, stating "Asking sites to verify age doesn't punish adults, it just protects our kids. If Aylo prefers to leave France rather than apply our laws, they're free to do so."
Aylo's sites have encountered similar challenges in 17 American states, and Pornhub in particular has been under investigation by the European Commission for insufficient measures to stop minors from accessing their sites. By withdrawing from France, Aylo is taking a proactive stance, addressing the government instead of risking potential forced closings and penalties. [1][2][3]
- The sudden withdrawal of adult content websites Pornhub, YouPorn, and RedTube from France signifies a significant intersection of technology and politics, as the decision was motivated by a upcoming French law requiring age verification systems on adult sites.
- Amidst the general-news of these digital platforms pulling out of France, the French Minister for Gender Equality, Aurore Bergé, welcomed the move as a step towards reducing children's exposure to adult content, citing it as a victory in the ongoing battle against pornography.
