Latest news with #XVideos
The Hill
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hill
House AI regulation ban divides GOP
The Big Story House Republicans pushed forward last week with a bid to ban state regulation of artificial intelligence (AI), sparking debate among the tech community and lawmakers over its implications for the emerging tech. © Greg Nash The proposal passed the House on Thursday morning as part of a sweeping tax and spending bill. Now, it faces an uphill battle in the Senate in the wake of procedural rules and potential resistance from some GOP senators. The proposal, tucked into President Trump's 'one big, beautiful bill,' calls for a 10-year moratorium on state laws regulating AI models, systems or automated decision systems. This includes enforcement of existing and future laws on the state level. Proponents of the moratorium argue a patchwork of state laws can be confusing or burdensome for technology companies to follow when operating in multiple parts of the country. 'Right now, there are over a thousand bills on the topic of AI regulation pending in state legislatures across the country,' Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.) said during the House Energy and Commerce Committee's markup of the measure. 'Imagine how difficult it would be for a federal agency that operates in all 50 states to have to navigate this labyrinth of regulation when we potentially have 50 different states going 50 different directions on the topic of AI regulation,' Obernolte adding, referring to the ongoing push to incorporate AI into federal agencies. 'This is exactly the same circumstances that we are putting private industry in as they attempt to deploy AI,' he added. The bill includes some exemptions for states' enforcement of laws focused on promoting AI development. This includes regulations that seek to remove barriers or facilitate the use of AI models and systems or those focused on streamlining processes like licensing or permitting to help AI adoption. The push aligns with the Trump administration's broader pro-innovation agenda that prioritizes technology development over regulations that hamper U.S. innovation and competitiveness. Check out the full report at tomorrow. Welcome to The Hill's Technology newsletter, I'm Julia Shapero — tracking the latest moves from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads How policy will be impacting the tech sector now and in the future: Pornhub, XVideos face EU probe over child protections The European Commission announced Tuesday that it is investigating a handful of pornographic platforms in an effort to protect minors from harmful online content. Those found in violation could face a significant fine. The commission is launching investigations into Pornhub, XVideos, Stripchat and XNXX to assess the age verification measures to prevent minors from accessing the site. It is also looking at how the sites evaluate … Republicans face a future without Elon Musk's money Tech billionaire Elon Musk is prompting questions about his next steps as he signals he might wind down his political activity. Last week, the Tesla CEO said he's planning to scale back his spending after injecting hundreds of millions of dollars into the 2024 election, a big potential blow for GOP campaign coffers moving forward. The announcement comes as Musk also cools his involvement in the Trump White House to turn more … California Dem blasts FCC's delay of multilingual disaster alerts California Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D) on Monday blasted the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over a delay in multilingual disaster alerts. At the beginning of the year, the FCC pledged to implement an order requiring wireless providers to distribute emergency alters in the 13 most commonly spoken languages in the U.S. in addition to English and American Sign Language. However, four months later, citizens are still … Crypto investor accused of torturing man for access to Bitcoin password A cryptocurrency investor is facing charges of kidnapping and assault after officials alleged he tortured another man for weeks while demanding information to access their Bitcoin. John Woeltz, a 37-year-old man, pleaded not guilty Saturday to the charges he faces, including kidnapping with intent to collect ransom, assault with intent to cause physical injury, unlawful imprisonment and criminal possession of a firearm. … {{if !contains( Report')} {/if}}{{if !contains( Report')} {/if}} The Refresh News we've flagged from the intersection of tech and other topics: The Hill Jobs Interested in exploring a new career? Visit The Hill Jobs Board to discover millions of roles worldwide, including: Director of Government Affairs — The Ford Agency, Washington, D.C. Apply Executive Director — Office of Legislative Management, Hartford, Conn. Apply Director, Policy, Research and Analysis — ADVI Health, Washington, D.C. Apply Senior Policy Specialist — Arnold Porter, Washington, D.C. Apply Click here to get your job mentioned Crypto Corner Trump Media's bitcoin moves © Yuki Iwamura, Bloomberg via Getty Images Welcome to Crypto Corner, a daily feature focused on digital currency and its outlook in Washington. Trump Media and Technology Group, the company behind President Trump's Truth Social platform, is making a new foray into the crypto world. The company announced Tuesday that it plans to raise $2.5 billion to buy bitcoin and build up a reserve. Some 50 investors will buy $1.5 billion in Trump Media stock and $1 billion in company notes to help raise the funds to create a bitcoin treasury, according to a press release. 'It's a big step forward in the Company's plans to evolve into a holding company by acquiring additional profit-generating, crown jewel assets consistent with America First principles,' Trump Media CEO Devin Nunes said in a statement. Trump Media, which initially launched with a focus on building out the president's social media platform, has increasingly sought to expand its financial offerings, with a particular eye toward digital assets. In March, the company unveiled a partnership with to launch a series of exchange traded funds (ETFs), set to comprise digital assets and securities 'with a Made in America focus.' Other firms associated with the president and his family have also expanded their ties to the crypto industry in recent months, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and complicating the administration's efforts to pass long-sought crypto legislation. In Other News Branch out with other reads on The Hill: Mysterious sphere in Colombia sparks UFO talk Scientists in Mexico are reportedly studying a metal orb that they think could have extraterrestrial origins after it was recovered in Colombia earlier this year, piquing online interest of a potential unidentified flying object (UFO). The sphere marked with decorative etchings was filmed floating erratically through the sky before it crashed near Buga, Colombia, in March and captured the attention of UFO enthusiasts. A video … What Others are Reading Two key stories on The Hill right now: Tuberville to run for governor, leave Senate Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) on Tuesday announced he was running for governor with the launch of his campaign website, creating an open GOP primary … Read more GOP fears Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' is 'debt bomb' The fiscal impact of President Trump's 'big, beautiful bill,' which one prominent budget hawk called a 'debt bomb,' is becoming a significant … Read more What Others are Reading Opinions related to tech submitted to The Hill: You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!
The Hill
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hill
Pornhub, XVideos face EU probe over child protections
The European Commission announced Tuesday that it is investigating a handful of pornographic platforms in an effort to protect minors from harmful online content. Those found in violation could face a significant fine. The commission is launching investigations into Pornhub, XVideos, Stripchat and XNXX to assess the age verification measures to prevent minors from accessing the site. It is also looking at how the sites evaluate and enact risk reduction related to children's rights and users' mental and physical well-being. The commission says its investigation includes 'those linked to the absence of effective age verification measures,' which were reportedly missing upon a preliminary investigation. 'Online platforms must ensure that the rights and best interests of children are central to the design and functioning of their services,' the commission said in a press release. If the companies are found to have violated the Digital Services Act (DSA), the commission's digital content rules, they could receive a fine of up to 6 percent of the company's annual global turnover. There isn't a time limit under which a probe must conclude. National authorities will also work together to oversee smaller pornographic sites in compliance with the DSA. Local authorities can also open investigations and 'really kind of put pressure' on these smaller platforms, a Commission official told Politico. The Hill has reached out to Pornhub, Stripchat's owner Technius Ltd., XVideos, and XNXX for comment. The investigation stems from a larger effort by the European Union (EU) to protect minors online. 'We are not excluding future expansion of the proceedings' into other issues under the DSA, such as illegal content or ad repositories, a commission official told Politico.
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
EU regulators to investigate pornography sites
Online regulators at the European Commission have opened an investigation into Pornhub and three other pornography sites, over suspected lax efforts to prevent children accessing their explicit content. The EU's executive arm announced it had opened formal inquiries into Pornhub, XNXX, Stripchat, and XVideos, for possible breaches of the union's strict regulations of large online platforms. The investigation will centre on suspected lax age verification checks used by the sites, where users simply have to click a pop-up stating they are at least 18 years of age, to access the websites. The EU's Digital Services Act, which came into force early last year, gives commission regulators powers to investigate the spread of harmful and illegal online content. READ MORE Big online platforms found to be in breach of the tech regulations can be hit with large fines. 'Children should not have access to pornographic content. We suspect that these pornographic platforms are not properly assessing and mitigating risks stemming from their services and not effectively preventing kids from accessing adult content,' a commission spokesman said. Existing age verification checks used by the sites were not seen as effective, he said. The investigations into Pornhub and the other sites are expected to take several months at least. The inquiries may end in the commission fining the companies, or directing them to change their practices. 'We will now conduct an in-depth investigation and invite the four companies to co-operate throughout the process,' the commission spokesman said on Tuesday. The commission is trying to tackle the age verification problem itself, by introducing an EU-wide 'digital wallet'. The scheme would allow people to verify their identity when accessing services online. A trial of the digital ID idea will begin this summer, while the commission works towards a wider implementation of the concept. Separately, Pornhub received more than 7,000 reports about potential child sex abuse material being hosted on its website last year, according to an annual report required to be published to comply with the EU's new digital regulations. A further 1,200 complaints were flagged to the platform about possible non-consensual videos or other content on the website. Some 100 videos or other pieces of content were removed by Pornhub over fears they depicted child sex abuse material, the report said. Police in Germany made eight requests for information about users of the website, in connection with investigations into online child sexual abuse material.
The Verge
3 days ago
- Business
- The Verge
The European Commission has launched an investigation into
The EU is cracking down on porn sites. Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos under the Digital Services Act over concerns about their lack of 'appropriate' age verification tools. Platforms found to have breached DSA rules can face fines of up to six percent of their annual turnover, but it will take several months to reach a verdict.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Pornhub and three other porn sites face EU child safety probe
The EU is investigating Pornhub, Stripchat and two other pornography websites it believes may be falling foul of its online content European Commission said the sites, which also include XVideos and XNXX, did not appear to have measures in place to safeguard children and their said this included an apparent lack of "appropriate" age verification methods to stop children accessing adult material."Online platforms must ensure that the rights and best interests of children are central to the design and functioning of their services," it said. The Commission said its initial investigations found the four platforms had not put in place "appropriate and proportionate measures to ensure a high level of privacy, safety and security for minors".It said the platforms also do not appear to be abiding by requirements for porn sites to use age verification tools to protect children from accessing adult content.A Commission official said that "click away" pop-ups currently used by some porn sites, asking users if they are over 18, may not be an effective means of doing platforms were also found not to have put into place "risk assessment and mitigation measures of any negative effects on the rights of the child, the mental and physical well-being of users," it comes amid wider scrutiny of online pornography services worldwide, with many regulators looking to crack down on those that do not have age verification in UK's online safety regulator Ofcom recently announced two investigations into porn sites that did not appear to have any methods to check the age of said in early May that Itai Tech Ltd - which operates a so-called "nudifying" site - and Score Internet Group LLC had failed to detail how they were preventing children from accessing their has blocked access to its site in 16 US states, including Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Texas, that passed laws requiring it to verify the age of a January blog post, it said age verification should take place on users' devices, such as through their operating system, rather than on individual, age-restricted said this would be a simpler process for regulators and enhance privacy for users. The companies subject to the EU's investigation were designated as very large online platforms under its Digital Services Act (DSA) in the bloc's sweeping set of digital content rules, they face tougher requirements to tackle harmful and illegal material on the suspected infringements of the DSA are confirmed, platforms could face further enforcement actions or, ultimately, a fines of up to 6% of their annual turnover. The Commission said on Tuesday that Stripchat would no longer be designated a so-called VLOP, but its suspected non-compliance with its digital content rules would still be platforms that do not meet the 45m EU user threshold must also abide by the bloc's digital rules to safeguard children, it action by its member states will also seek to enforce requirements for smaller pornography sites."Our priority is to protect minors and allow them to navigate safely online," said Henna Virkkunen, the Commission's executive vice-president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy. "Together with the Digital Service Coordinators in the Member States we are determined to tackle any potential harm to young online users."
