You won't believe where Pornhub and XNXX are based; and why the EU is coming for them

Time of India

02-06-2025

You won't believe where Pornhub and XNXX are based; and why the EU Is coming for them
In an unprecedented move reflecting rising global concern over online child safety, the European Union has officially launched a formal investigation into several major adult content websites, including
Pornhub
,
XNXX
,
XVideos
, and
Stripchat
. These platforms, some of the most visited websites in the world, are now under scrutiny for allegedly failing to comply with key provisions of the EU's landmark
Digital Services Act
(DSA). At the heart of the investigation is a single but vital issue: safeguarding children from exposure to explicit adult material online.
As internet access becomes more ubiquitous and younger demographics increasingly consume content on digital platforms, regulatory bodies across the globe are tightening rules around content moderation, age verification, and online harm mitigation. The EU's inquiry signals a pivotal shift in how mature content is regulated in cyberspace, especially with respect to child protection standards. The
European Commission
has accused these adult platforms of neglecting their legal obligations, particularly around effective age verification and risk assessments, setting the stage for a landmark regulatory showdown that could reshape the adult industry's digital infrastructure.
Why the EU is investigating Pornhub, XVideos, XNXX, and Stripchat
The European Commission announced on June 1, 2025, that it had initiated formal proceedings against four high-profile adult content platforms. The accused—Pornhub, XNXX, XVideos, and Stripchat—are suspected of violating the Digital Services Act (DSA), the EU's sweeping legislation aimed at creating a safer and more transparent digital ecosystem.
Key allegations include:
Failure to implement age verification tools
: The platforms allegedly lack robust mechanisms to verify the age of their users, making it possible for minors to access explicit material without restriction.
Inadequate risk assessments
: Under the DSA, very large online platforms (VLOPs) are required to conduct detailed risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies to protect fundamental rights, especially the rights of minors.
Poor transparency and governance
: Regulators are also probing whether these companies have failed to provide transparent information about their policies, algorithms, and content moderation strategies.
As reported by The Economic Times, according to Henna Virkkunen, the EU's chief of digital policy, "The online space should be a safe environment for children to learn and connect. Our priority is to protect minors and allow them to navigate safely online."
Understanding the Digital Services Act and its requirements
Enacted in 2022 and fully enforceable as of 2024, the Digital Services Act (DSA) is one of the most comprehensive digital laws in the world. It applies to all digital services operating in the EU but places additional responsibilities on companies classified as Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs)—defined as those with more than 45 million monthly active users in the EU.
Core DSA requirements include:
Risk assessments
: Platforms must assess systemic risks related to disinformation, child safety, gender-based violence, and more.
Mitigation measures
: Businesses are required to implement proportionate mitigation strategies based on their risk evaluations.
Transparency reporting
: Regular reports must be submitted detailing how harmful or illegal content is being handled.
Independent audits
: Annual external audits are mandated to ensure compliance with DSA obligations.
Age-appropriate design
: Platforms are expected to make their services safe for children, including mechanisms to prevent underage access to adult content.
Where are Pornhub, Stripchat, XVideos, and XNXX based
While these platforms operate globally, their corporate registrations are primarily in EU member states or nearby countries, allowing the EU regulatory framework to apply with direct jurisdiction:
Pornhub: Operated by Aylo Freesites Ltd., a Cyprus-based firm.
Stripchat: Owned by Technius Ltd., also based in Cyprus.
XVideos: Operated under the Czech company WebGroup Czech Republic.
XNXX: Owned by another Czech entity, NKL Associates.
Their physical and legal presence within EU territories grants the European Commission direct leverage in enforcing compliance with the Digital Services Act.
Consequences if found in violation
Should the investigation conclude that these platforms are in breach of the DSA, the consequences could be severe. The most significant penalty available to the European Commission is a fine of up to 6% of the company's global annual revenue. Given the massive user bases and significant revenue streams of these sites, such fines could amount to hundreds of millions of euros.
Beyond financial penalties, the EU could also impose:
Mandatory operational changes
: Including the integration of stronger age-gating technology.
Temporary platform restrictions
: In extreme cases, non-compliant services could face temporary access blocks within EU member states.
Public naming and shaming
: As part of transparency efforts, the Commission may publish compliance failures to increase reputational pressure.
Stripchat's status downgraded
Interestingly, one of the four platforms—Stripchat—is now on track to lose its classification as a VLOP. According to the Commission, its average monthly EU user count dropped below the 45 million threshold, and the platform will be officially delisted from the DSA's VLOP registry in four months. However, this does not exempt it from basic DSA obligations or from ongoing investigations related to its past performance while still classified as a VLOP.
Industry response and public backlash
As of now, the adult platforms in question have not issued comprehensive public responses. However, legal experts anticipate a strong pushback grounded in arguments related to technical feasibility, user privacy, and the limits of platform liability.
Meanwhile, child safety advocacy groups have welcomed the probe. 'The industry has operated in a legal grey zone for too long,' said a spokesperson from the European Alliance for Child Protection Online. 'This is a necessary and long-overdue step to hold platforms accountable.'
Public opinion remains mixed. While many support stronger child protection online, some privacy advocates warn that overly aggressive age verification systems could compromise user anonymity and personal freedoms.
A turning point for online adult content regulation
This investigation could serve as a precedent-setting case for how the world's largest adult content websites are held accountable in democratic societies. As global governments increasingly prioritize digital safety, particularly for children, the EU's firm stance may push other jurisdictions—such as the United States, Canada, and Australia—to introduce or tighten similar frameworks.
Notably, the UK's Online Safety Act has also introduced similar rules requiring pornographic websites to enforce age verification. Australia is conducting public consultations on age verification technology, while some U.S. states like Utah and Louisiana have passed laws mandating proof of age to access adult material.
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