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.
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