Overview

• The decree requiring users of EU-based porn sites to submit identity proof or use anonymized verification methods came into force in February, with Arcom empowered to block non-compliant platforms.
• On June 16, the Paris Administrative Tribunal suspended the measure after Hammy Media, owner of Xhamster, challenged its compatibility with European law.
• Aylo, parent company of Youporn and Pornhub, cut off access to its sites in France in early June in protest of the verification requirement.
• Arcom has issued warnings to at least five EU-based platforms and underscored its commitment to sanction sites regardless of their location if they fail to enforce age checks.
• The European Commission launched investigations in late May into four major porn sites for inadequate minor-blocking measures and will work with national authorities to oversee compliance on smaller platforms.