Pornhub and other major adult sites have pulled out of France, citing user privacy concerns after a new law demanded strict age verification. Regulators and lawmakers say the move is a win for child protection.
Pornhub and its sister sites, YouPorn and RedTube, have cut access to French users following a new law that mandates strict age verification for adult content. The platforms’ parent company, Aylo, said it had spent years trying to work with regulators on a privacy-respecting solution but failed to reach an agreement.
“That kind of heavy-duty ID check should be handled by the companies making the devices and browsers,” Aylo argued, pointing to Apple, Google, and Microsoft.
France’s law requires users to verify their age using a personal ID, bank card, or even facial scans. While French officials say it protects minors, Aylo claims it endangers privacy and imposes unsustainable costs on adult platforms.
France’s media regulator, Arcom, says privacy-friendly age checks exist and accuses Aylo of avoiding responsibility. Gender Equality Minister Aurore Bergé called the shutdown a victory.
With similar laws across U.S. states and a growing EU investigation, age verification is rapidly becoming a global porn industry flashpoint.