European Union hits porn websites with new restrictions under Digital Services Act

The European Commission said it’s including XXNX because it has 45 million European users

Pornhub, XVideos and Stripchat have also been targeted by the rules

The European Union said on Wednesday that it's adding a porn site to its list of online services facing the strictest level of scrutiny under the bloc's digital regulations.

The measures, including ones requiring users to verify their ages, will be added to the site XXNX.

It's the fourth porn site to be classed as a “very large online platform” that, under the European Union's groundbreaking Digital Services Act, must abide by extra obligations aimed at keeping internet users safe.

Pornhub, XVideos and Stripchat have also been targeted by the rulebook, known as the DSA, along with 21 mainstream platforms and search engines like TikTok, Amazon, Facebook, Instagram and Google. The DSA, which took effect last year, is Brussels' flagship legislation to protect internet users from illegal content and dodgy products under threat of hefty fines.

The European Union said Wednesday July 10, 2024 it's adding the porn site XXNX to its list of online services facing the strictest level of scrutiny under the bloc's digital regulations including measures requiring users to verify their ages. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File) (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The European Commission, the EU's executive branch, said in a prepared statement that it's including XXNX because it has 45 million European users, the threshold for stepped-up scrutiny. The commission said XXNX must comply by November with the extra measures, including preventing minors from accessing online porn by using age verification tools, as well as giving researchers access to publicly available data and publishing an ad database.

“XNXX must also duly assess and mitigate any systemic risks stemming from their services, such as risks related to the dissemination of illegal content, or the negative effects on mental and physical well-being of the user,” the commission said.

Attempts to contact XXNX for comment were unsuccessful because the site's media contact form is nonfuctional.

Violations of the DSA are punishable by fines of up to 6% of global revenue or even an EU ban.

The commission last month asked Pornhub, which has disputed its status DSA status, XVideos and Stripchat for more details on the measures they have taken to protect minors from accessing their content.

The Digital Services Act have broad but vague goals of making digital markets “fairer” and “more contestable.” They are kicking in as efforts around the world to crack down on the tech industry are picking up pace.