Beginning tomorrow, French citizens will be unable to access adult websites YouPorn, Pornhub, and RedTube, as their parent company Aylo protests against mandatory age verification for users.
Those attempting to visit Pornhub or YouPorn will be redirected to a landing page that outlines the company’s position, featuring the famous painting “Liberty Leading the People” (La Liberté guidant le peuple) by celebrated French artist Eugène Delacroix.
“We have made the challenging decision to suspend access to our sites in France starting tomorrow afternoon, using our platforms to engage directly with the French public,” stated Aylo’s Vice President Alex Kekesi in an online press briefing.
“Good riddance”
In response, French Minister for Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination, Aurore Bergé, commented on X:
“Pornhub, YouPorn, and RedTube refuse to adhere to our legal framework and have opted to withdraw. Good riddance! There’ll be less violent, degrading, and humiliating content accessible to minors in France. Farewell.”
Since March, France has mandated that all adult websites—whether based within or outside the European Union—verify users’ legal age.
The French government has implemented a system of “double anonymity” for age verification, which requires users to provide a photo or ID to confirm their age while keeping their identity confidential.
Aylo, however, advocates for age verification to be conducted at the device or operating system level.
“Google, Apple, and Microsoft have the capability to verify users’ ages at the OS or device level and inform any site or app accordingly,” stated Solomon Friedman of Ethical Capital Partners, the investment fund owning Aylo, labeling the French measures as “irrational and ineffective.”
“This is about safeguarding our children”
“The requirement for websites to verify ages is not about shaming adults but simply about safeguarding our children,” said Clara Chappaz, French Minister for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs, to AFP.
“If Aylo chooses to exit France instead of complying with our laws, that’s their decision,” she added.
Aylo reports having seven million daily visitors across its adult platforms in France.
At the end of last month, the European Commission announced investigations into the protection of minors from pornography under the Digital Services Act (DSA). Formal proceedings have been initiated against platforms including Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos for suspected DSA violations.
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