The European Commission (EC) has launched an investigation into Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos. The probe concerns allegations of failing to prevent underage users from accessing their content.

Announced on May 26, 2025, the probe focuses on the platforms’ simple age-check method.

Users only need to click a button to confirm users are over 18, which the EC deems inadequate under the Digital Services Act (DSA).

The DSA requires stricter age verification for platforms with over 45 million users in the EU.

EC spokesperson Thomas Regnier emphasized the importance of child safety, stating, “Children should not have access to pornographic content.”

If violations are found, companies could face fines of up to 6% of their global annual revenue.

🔗 Source: Engadget

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ The long evolution of age verification in adult content

Pornhub’s current EU investigation represents the latest chapter in a decade-long struggle with age verification across the industry.

As early as 2015, Pornhub was already implementing measures to address content concerns, though focused primarily on non-consensual material rather than age verification 1.

The current regulatory landscape varies dramatically by geography, with 19 US states implementing their own patchwork of age verification laws requiring platforms to verify users are at least 18 years old, often through government-issued ID 2.

These state-level regulations have led some platforms, including Pornhub, to simply block access in certain jurisdictions rather than implement verification systems that might expose them to legal liability 2.

The EU’s comprehensive Digital Services Act (DSA) approach differs significantly from America’s fragmented state-by-state regulation, creating global compliance challenges for these platforms operating across multiple jurisdictions.

2️⃣ The technical and privacy challenges of age verification systems

The EU investigation highlights the fundamental technical challenges of creating effective age verification that balances privacy with protection.