The European Commission launched official proceedings on May 27, 2025 against four of the world’s largest pornography websites: Pornhub, Stripchat, XVideos, and XNXX. The charge: violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA) – particularly regarding child protection, age verification, and insufficient transparency.
What’s it About Exactly?
All four sites qualify as Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) – platforms with more than 45 million active users in the EU. According to the Commission:
- they rely on superficial age controls („I’m over 18“)
- they lack credible risk assessments to protect minors
- they have failed to adequately meet transparency requirements
„The protection of children in the digital space is one of our top priorities.“
— European Commission, May 27, 2025
What is the Digital Services Act (DSA)?
The DSA is the EU’s central law regulating large platforms and requires them, among other things, to:
- effectively moderate content (including algorithmically)
- protect minors and vulnerable groups
- transparently handle advertising and fair data processing
- conduct risk assessments and fulfill disclosure obligations
Violations can result in fines of up to 6% of global annual revenue.
DSA App: The Future of Age Verification
To help platforms comply, the EU is currently developing its own white-label age verification app, which is set to launch in summer 2025.
App Features:
- Age verification via eID, passport scan, bank ID, or biometrics
- uses zero-knowledge proofs → confirms age without storing personal data
- open source (GitHub) and later integrable into the EU Digital Wallet
- not mandatory to use – but DSA-compliant
„The app is designed to enable platforms to reliably block minors – without violating data protection.“
— EU Commission Spokesperson
Platform Reactions
Operators have been cautious so far:
- XVideos & XNXX: argue that strict age checks would „deter 90% of users“
- Pornhub: points to technical hurdles and data protection concerns
- Stripchat: has since lost VLOP status but remains under national investigation
The platforms tend to emphasize end-user responsibility (e.g., parental controls) rather than platform controls.
What Threatens These Sites?
The following measures are possible:
- mandatory age verification systems
- publication of detailed risk reports
- technical audits or access restrictions
- fines in the double-digit millions range
Conclusion
The DSA investigations against Pornhub, Stripchat, XVideos, and XNXX mark a turning point in European platform regulation. The EU is taking active steps for the first time to enforce child protection online – with clear rules, real penalties, and its own technical solution.
Whether the platforms cooperate or take countermeasures remains to be seen. What’s certain: Access to pornography websites will fundamentally change in Europe in 2025.