The European Commission has launched a formal investigation into four top adult websites — Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos — over alleged failures to prevent minors from accessing explicit content.
The probe, announced Tuesday, accuses the platforms of breaching the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates strict safeguards to protect children online. The law, in effect since 2022, applies to all digital platforms operating in the EU.
“These platforms are not using effective age verification tools to keep minors away from harmful content,” the Commission said in a statement, adding that the absence of such controls puts children at risk and violates EU standards.
The DSA requires online services to place the rights and safety of minors at the center of their design and operation. “Our priority is to protect minors and allow them to navigate safely online,” said Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission’s executive vice president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy.
In December 2023, Pornhub, Stripchat, and XVideos were listed as “very large online platforms” (VLOPs) under the DSA, a designation that demands stricter compliance with rules on content moderation, transparency, and age checks. XNXX, though under investigation, was not listed as a VLOP at the time.
However, the Commission has now removed Stripchat from the VLOP category after a review showed its average monthly EU user base falls below the required threshold. Despite the de-listing, Stripchat must still ensure strong protections for minors, the Commission said.
As part of its broader strategy, the EU is developing a digital age-verification app expected to launch this summer. The tool will enable users to confirm they are over 18 without disclosing other personal details.
All four platforms under scrutiny have been contacted for comment by CNN but are yet to respond.
If found in violation, the companies could face significant fines and be ordered to take immediate corrective measures under EU law.
